When I was a young girl and got into spats with friends I can remember a common retort to a threat was: “Yea, You and what army?” As we battle our way through this pandemic let us remember that we are with God and his army.

A Powerful Name
One of the names God reveals to us is, LORD Sabaoth translated LORD of Hosts,

• “You show steadfast love to thousands … O great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord of Hosts …” Jeremiah 32:18

The word “tsaba” is translated several ways. It means army, or host (as in a large organized army). It is used most often to refer to the angelic armies of God. It is a war term and is often used in association with various battles and struggles.

It is used to indicate God’s supreme and unlimited power, authority and judgment. (On occasion it is used to refer to the actual physical heavenly bodies of the sun, moon and stars).

Here are a few of the passages using the word “tsaba.” (The name LORD Sabaoth is used 261 in the Old Testament).

• “When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army (tsaba) of the Lord. Now I have come.” Joshua 5:13-14
• “Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host (tsaba) of heaven standing on his right and on his left…”
  2 Chronicles 18:18
• “Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts (tsaba)!” Psalm 148:2
• “Our Redeemer—the LORD of hosts (tsaba) is his name— is the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 47:4

A Shepherd Boy and the LORD of Hosts
David knew God’s name of LORD Sabaoth. This name revealed to David that God is almighty and sovereign over all. Armed with this knowledge about God, David was confident that God was with him as he approached Goliath.

David refers to God as the Lord of Hosts as he faces off with Goliath. David, still considered a youth, comes to fight a giant of a man with a sling and a few stones as the Israelite army cowers in the background.  As David moves towards Goliath He says that he is coming to Goliath in the name of the Lord of Hosts.

• “Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Samuel 17:45

Goliath could not see any “hosts” of God,“ so he laughed and scorned. All he saw was an army hiding in fear, but David knew who God is, David knew God’s name –LORD/Yahweh Sabaoth.

David believes that God truly has an army of angels. David calls upon LORD Sabaoth. David claims God’s  power over every force,

David incorporated truth he learned in intimate times with God and from his past experience with God, so he was able to depend on God’s all mighty power as he stepped up to face Goliath. This is an example of how David’s intimate knowledge of God became a part of his real life.

A Woman in Conflict and the Lord of Hosts
As I read about the word “tsaba” in scriptures I came across the story of Hannah. The scriptures describe Hannah as a woman sorely troubled.

In the account in 1 Samuel 1, we read of this struggle between the two women, the bully (Peninnah), and the victim, Hannah. Hannah was a woman sorely troubled in two ways.

She was grieved because she was barren, and she was grieved, even vexed, by the taunting of Peninnah (Elkanah’s other wife) who had children.

• “And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her.” 1 Samuel 1:6-7

In her struggles regarding both barrenness and the taunts of this other woman, we read that Hannah prays to God.

In her prayers, it is interesting to note, Hannah does not address God as Merciful Father, or Compassionate God as one might think, but rather because of her struggles she uses the war reference to God. Hannah addresses God as “LORD Sabaoth” in her prayer.

“After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of Hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life…” 1 Sam.1:7-11

This is amazing. Hannah knew God’s name. She understood the meaning and believe the truth in it. From this knowledge and belief Hannah intimately pours out her heart about her conflict, her battle, to the LORD of Hosts.

The LORD of Hosts and You
Knowing God as “LORD Sabaoth or Lord of hosts” gives me confidence and security.
I can call upon my Father who is LORD of the angel armies, and feel secure as I battle against sin, fear and the shadow of darkness in life.

During this present Pandemic, knowing that God is Lord of Hosts and that He fights for us, reminds me that God is sovereign overall. This truth brings peace into my heart. It helps me focus on our Mighty God and not on the circumstances around me.

The Lord of Hosts will walk with us through this. He will calm our fears and strengthen us. He will sustain us in our relationships with one another as we shelter in place. When stressed and overwhelmed from being in close quarters with children all day, or when experiencing bumps with our spouse  Lord of Hosts is near to help. As the Lord of Hosts responded to the hurt of Hannah as she cried out to Him, he will respond to us.

Meditate on the concept of Lord Sabaoth. Think about what this means to your faith, your life. Teach this to your children. Lord Sabaoth is the true super hero.

Today when you pray, cry out to your Father, Lord Sabaoth, on behalf of your family, your friends and the world.