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"There was a man from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim.His name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives, the first named Hannah and the second Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless. This man would go up from his town every year to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of Armies at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were the Lord’s priests."
~1 Samuel 1:1-3
Here in verse 3 of 1 Samuel 1, we come to another of our God's names - Jehovah Sabaoth, which literally means "The Lord of Armies" or "The Lord of Hosts", pointing to the fact that our God commands angelic armies on behalf of His people.
This is such a powerful, meaningful name of our great God, because infused into it is such a comforting hope and peace as we remember that we are guarded, protected, and hedged about on every side by the One Who not only commands all and works everything together for our good, but also goes so far as to command angel armies on our behalf!
I found myself in a scary situation with a couple friends several years ago and suddenly, in the midst of very much feeling as if we were in grave danger, I had the overwhelming urge to pray. Not only that, but I had these very words come pouring out of my mouth in prayer before I even had a chance to give a single thought to what exactly I was saying: "Lord, I pray You would send down Your scary angels to guard and protect us and to scare off whoever would seek to do us harm."
"Scary angels"??
Where had THAT phrase come from? I had never in my life used that phrase before or even thought it. I knew that the true biblical description of angels was certainly nothing like the cherubic presentations we are often given in our day and age, but I had never gone around actually thinking of angels as being deemed scary, particularly to those who would seek to do harm God's children. What a powerful moment that was!
Looking back now today as I write these words about our God being in charge of angel armies, those memories from that day come rushing back again in such a meaningful way. I may not have fully understood at the time all that the Spirit was inspiring me to pray for in that moment, but I understand it now.
Our God has literally promised to command angel armies on our behalf! So much so that He even went so far as to take that job description He has and use it as one of His very names! That is incredible!
The fact of the matter, friend, is that you are safe in the hands of your great God. He loves you so dearly, so tenderly, that He willingly, faithfully, and unendingly commands angel armies on your behalf! And He delights to do so!
Praise God for that!
Reflection Questions:
1) What stands out to you about the meaning behind this name of God?
2) How does this name and its meaning bring you peace in the midst of whatever scary situation you are facing?
3) How can you be diligent to remind yourself of this encouraging truth the next time you (or someone you love!) face a scary situation?
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