The Name of the LORD of hosts

Today's lead Word is from 1 Samuel 17:45-47. I thank God for the integrity of His Holy name and may He give us understanding and revelation as we read and reflect on His Word today.

45.Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

46."This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

47."Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands."

The above text is an extract from the Bible story of David and Goliath. Goliath was a giant and champion of the Philistines army who had vowed that if the armies of Israel were able to kill him, then his people would serve them but if he prevailed in battle against a man that they sent him, then God's people would have to be their servants. This sent fear among the Israelites especially given Goliath track record of victory that was attributed to his gigantic size. On the other hand, David, a shepherd boy heard of this news and was determined to take down Goliath in battle. In 1 Samuel 17: 32 David said to king Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go down and fight with this Philistine." At no point was this shepherd boy in doubt of God's might and power to defeat the giant that was terrorizing God's people.

Colossians 3:2 implores us to keep our minds focussed on the things above and not on earthly things. David recognised Goliath was a giant but chose to not focus on Goliath's gigantic stature because His focus was only on God. When an obstacle or challenging situation comes your way, the Word encourages us to shift our focus on God instead of the earthly obstacle just like David did. I love this text because as children of God, it demonstrates to us that if we align our faith and put our full trust in God through His Son Jesus Christ, then nothing shall be impossible because God is with us and willing to supernaturally take us to a place of victory.

Friend, aside our full and undivided trust in God, He does not need our help in a battle with the enemy because God is single handedly well able to defend His name.

In the above text, David clearly understood this because he did not gather the finest weapons for battle (all he used was one stone) but instead told Goliath that he came to the battlefield with the name of the LORD of hosts despite the weapons and fore runners that the enemy had appeared with. The enemy will display many weapons from his arsenal such as thoughts of fear, unbelief, doubt, rejection but allow me to remind you of God's Word that tell us, no weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Goliath's weapons were formed to kill David. However, God supernaturally ensured that David effortlessly killed the giant with one sling of his stone before Goliath could even use his weapons. In addition, David also fulfilled the words spoken by his mouth as he beheaded the giant with his own sword (1 Samuel 17:51). By God's grace, the same story goes for you, those weapons the enemy is forming against you now will be your testimony tomorrow as this is God's plan for your life. Speak the Word of God which is full of victory, power and encouragement just as David did before he faced the enemy.

The Bible also tells us that Goliath was offended by David's lack of serious battlefield weaponry and in 1 Samuel 17: 43 he asked David, "Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?" But David's weapon was the faith in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who has a name above all other names and at the name of Jesus, every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11) to the glory of the Father.

I encourage us all to have the faith and confidence in God that He is able to take care of that obstacle that presents itself as Goliath. If that challenge, negative report or obstacle looks and feels like a giant in your life, this post is not about taking away from your experience because denial is also an enemy.

However, I invite you, just like David, to recognize the power of the Creator of heaven and earth who is well able to take care of anything that presents itself as a "giant" when we put our trust in Him and receive His grace through His Son Jesus Christ. Show up to the battle field against that enemy with confidence because God is indeed with you and if there is anyone who is able to best represent Him in this battle, it is you.

Let's pray. Abba Father, I thank you that when we see the enemy and his weapons formed against us, all you see is victory for your children and glory for your Holy Name. We show up to the battle field with thanksgiving for the grace you have given us choosing faith over every lie of the enemy that presents itself as an obstacle for the good plans and purposes that you have for prospering us your children here on earth In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

As I conclude this post, may we meditate on this Word in Philippians 4:8 AMP as it guides our thoughts;

8.Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

Invitation to salvation: Finally, in case you have not already, I invite you to believe with your heart and confess with your mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins. I repent of my sin. I choose Him as my Lord and Saviour today and forever.

Congratulations, by grace you have been saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.

As a new believer, I urge you to prayerfully consider becoming a member of a church and buying a Bible or downloading the Bible app on your mobile in case you don't already own one!