Favorite Bible Verse
yesterday I did the verse mapping for Psalm 86:11. Wow. I love doing that! God can teach us all so much if we just take our time and linger in his word and presence. Thank you for this study.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Jehovah Sabaoth
Jehovah Sabaoth
March 5, 2011
There is a group of us ladies who used to get together for birthdays. One night several years ago we all went to Marshall to celebrate several of our summer birthdays by going out to eat. There was going to be a city wide event in Marshall and in talking about it we decided to stop downtown and pray. We found a spot behind a bar and all stood in the parking lot praying. I looked up and in my spirit I saw the one of the angelic HOST Standing at the perimeter of the parking lot was a giant angelic being, dressed for battle but with colorful attire. I shall never forget it!!!. He was huge!!As we prayed, the HOSTS of heaven had been summoned and they came to do their battle of the Marshall area that week. WOW and double WOW. I think I told the girls what I saw and none of them seem overly impressed but then... they didn't see what I saw.
Jehovah Sabaoth is the LORD OF HOSTS. He is the commander in Chief.
With the Host of heaven that I saw, I will never lose confidence that the battle belongs to the LORD. The odds are not against us. We are not overmatched. We are strong and though darkness closes in, the warring opposition trembles when the LORD OF HOSTS shows up. There was nothing that our little group of women could do to help advance the gospel for Marshall MN but the strong tower of HIS name showed up. The pillars of the universe trembled and I have to believe God made a difference in that timeframe. I will find out in heaven maybe.
This is a time of darkness and a day of distress. Make no mistake my sisters, the enemy is at hand and is attacking us in our weakest areas. I make no platitudes about our days by saying to you
+-"think about the positive,
+t's not so bad,
+it could always be worse,
+think of the starving children in Africa and so on and so on. " These are days of hard trials for God's people.
It was in such a day as this, when the name of the LORD OF HOSTS was first used in the Bible.
1 Samuel 1:1-10
She prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. At that time, a womans true worth hinged on her offspring. She couldn't seem to get pregnant and have a baby. She felt like she was worthless so all she could do was weep. She would be diagnosed today as severely depressed. But she seemed so out of control that Eli the priest accused her of being drunk during one of her trips to the temple. But had she turned to the bottle? Happy hour? Just one drink for medicinal purposes?
No She was in the temple-where did she turn? To the LORD OF HOSTS.
Read :1 Samuel 1:11
1 Samuel 17:45
Meaning and Derivation: Jehovah is translated as "The Existing One" or "Lord." The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning "to be" or "to exist." It also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" - this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Sabaoth (se bâ'ôt) means "armies" or "hosts." Jehovah Sabaoth can be translated as "The Lord of Armies" (1Sa 1:3). This name denotes His universal sovereignty over every army, both spiritual and earthly. The Lord of Hosts is the king of all heaven and earth. (Psa 24:9-10; Psa 84:3; Isa 6:5). Further references of the name Jehovah Sabaoth in the Old Testament: 1Sa 1:11; 1Sa 17:45; 2Sa 6:18; 2Sa 7:27; 1Ki 19:14; 2Ki 3:14; 1Ch 11:9; Psa 24:10; Psa 48:8; Psa 80:4; Psa 80:19; Psa 84:3; Isa 1:24; Isa 3:15; Isa 5:16; Isa 6:5; Isa 9:19; Isa 10:26; Isa 14:22; Jer 9:15; Jer 48:1; Hsa 12:5; Amo 3:13; Mic 4:4; Nah 3:5; Hag 2:6; Zec 1:3; Mal 1:6; Hab 2:13; Zep 2:9 |
In Judaism, the name of God is more than a distinguishing title; it represents the Jewish conception of the divine nature, and of the relationship of God to the Jewish people and to the world. To demonstrate the sacredness of the names of God, and as a means of showing respect and reverence for them, the scribes of sacred texts treat them with absolute sanctity when writing and speaking them. The various titles for God in Judaism represent God as He is known, as well as the divine aspects which are attributed to Him.
2 Kings 6:16-17 And he answered , Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17 And Elisha prayed , and said , LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see . And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw : and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
2 Kings 6:16-17 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Wow-the servant saw what Elisha saw. The mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire. That is quite a picture if you think about it. God indeed was present as the commander of the armies of heaven. They won the battle by the way. Since this description is repeated throughout scripture-over 270 times, there is definitely an army of heaven and God himself commands it. Sometimes-most of the time, it is invisible. But this story shows that sometimes we can see it.
If you read in the NIV -the LORD of hosts is translated LORD almighty and that creates some confusion with Gods name of Shaddai which does mean Almighty.
2 Kings 2:9-12 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
10 "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours--otherwise not." 11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.
1 Samuel 17:26-47 Read it out loud. David and Goliath.
David felt like Goliath was defying the Armies of the Living God.
He came to the Philistine in the name of the LORD almighty, the LORD OF HOSTS. David did not want the armor of man but proclaimed he was coming against him in the Name of the LORD OF HOSTS. The battle is the LORD's. The later psalms are littered with references written by David referring to the LORD OF HOSTS.
I gotta say that I am glad that the LORD of HOSTS can still shake up our world. He is the LORD OF HOSTS in a physical way. A real army shaking, with earthquakes, hurricanes and tornados to wake us up. Is that ok to say that? I know that many see the hand of the LORD saving them through these disasters. Just as Hannah's condition of barreness led her to find out what the Lord had planned for her and her baby.
God is the LORD OF HOSTS in us -more of a spiritual way. The battles we have our mostly spiritual and in our minds and relationships. No real weapons are drawn against us like guns, and swords. But there is a battle for our souls and the souls of generations to come.
Joshua 1:5 says I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. By this promise, we shall achieve our purpose. THE LORD himself is with us.
Psalm 84:12 O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in Thee!
Whatever we do is what the church is doing. Any forward steps in the Church must begin with us as individuals. As we close this study a word of encouragement. Choose to stay close to God-to pursue Him and REMEMBER what makes up His character. He will help you choose and stay close. Grace alone is what we need to keep on pursuing God. God is working in you. He is working at drawing us close to Him into a more intimate relationship. A relationship where we breath his name very naturally. As this study draws to a close and we take a break, make a choice to stay close to him in study and prayer which results in Zeal and Fruit for His kingdom. The church is us and God is using us! Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name! Rejoice deeply in HIS NAME and think deeply on the true meaning of the Names of the LORD. Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war. With the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ the royal master, leads agast the foe, forward into battle, see his banners go.
Sing Holy Holy Holy and Healing is in your hands. Go to small groups.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Jehovah Jireh
Jehovah Jireh
February 26, 2011
Today as we met for Mug and Muffin the LORD showed up in a powerful way. I am so thankful! My heart is overflowing with joy at the realization of how much God loves and cares for us. He truly is working in our lives!!!! This is just a small part of it. Some are reading through the Bible and are getting hungry for the word of God. Some are doing extra Bible Studies on their own and God is working in their lives. Some are spending extended time in prayer and praise. Some are meeting for extra prayer times and God directs their prayers in a powerful way and we are seeing answers to our prayers. Some are witnessing to family and friends and seeing salvations!
God is faithful that if we seek Him, we will find Him.
So here is what the LORD led me to share this Saturday morning:
We will start by reading a rather exciting drama from Genesis 22
Jehovah Jireh is litterally Jehovah will be seen. Provide is the actual word and it comes from two latin words pro-which means beforehand and vide which means to see. To see beforehand.
The Lord will provide.
To tell the story with a few thoughts of mine here.
In the beginning of the story, God told Abraham exactly what he expected him to do. Now think about him living and trying to act normal in front of Sarah and Isaac that evening. Or did he tell her? Could they hear his heart pounding? It took 3 days to get to where they were going. What tension between Abraham and Isaac those three days. They had some servants travelling wit h them. He had lots of time to chicken out. Was God quiet during those three days-50 or 60 miles- or was He in close communion with Abraham those days so that Abraham was totally confident in his faith that he knew he had to obey God. Did the phrase "God will see before hand" or "God will provide" go over and over in his mind?
What was going through his mind?
God will provide. Jehovah Jireh
What will the LORD provide?
Will he bring Isaac back to life?
Will the LORD change his mind? Will the LORD provide a way out?
Ok-so bottom line is Abraham was faithful and God provided a RAM as a sacrifice.
Praise the name of the LORD. Then Abraham did something we are learning to do here and that is REMEMBER. He built an altar and called it Jehovah Jireh. I cannot appreciate what Abraham did to the fullest extent. There is too much human in me. Our generation hasn't sacrificed a single animal on an alter. Honestly I want to be that faithful but not sure that I am. It is said that the Mt. Moriah is Golgatha. Where God gave his son as a sacrifice for us forever. Also it is the site of Solomon's temple.-remember last week that it was the place where God's glory dwells.
But I am confident of this: that the LORD is our provider and HE provides for all faithful men to be delivered from death. All our necessities are provided from this time forth and forevermore. The provision for Abraham is symbolic of the provision He made for all mankind in Jesus Christ.
The timing was of God's provision was in a time of extreme need. Extreme need. He didn't provide the RAM on the way up the mountain-actually I would have liked it on the same day the LORD told me to go to the mountain.
Has the LORD delayed providing for you until you have been in your most dire need?
Isaac's death was only seconds away when the angel stilled Abrahams hand by the words "Lay not thine hand upon the lad." Instantly it was all over.
In due time, God did provide the lamb. The provision for all mankind. Jesus Christ.
May we have faith to go to the wall like Abraham and Isaac too. Abraham erected an altar to REMEMBER and teach us all about how we must expect Jehovah's hand to provide. How the LORD must have been pleased with Abraham. Wow. They were a team. They were as one. No questions asked. Total trust but I am sure not without anguish. I can hardly fathom such a relationship. Most of us can only glimpse it here on earth-that closeness, intimacy, faith and trust. Make no mistake-God is working in us to develop that in you and me!!! Dear ones-don't think any less.
So this is nothing new to you. You have heard this story and learned about the symbolism. Jehovah Jireh provides. He provides often at the last minute. He provides for our needs-His grace is sufficient for me for me for me. I had a beautiful revelation from the LORD during this story. Do you know that the LORD thought about YOU at that time-up on that mountain? Abraham prophetically stated that the LORD would provide and that was a prophecy that was inspired by GOD and He had you in mind. I was weeping as I contemplate this.
Knowing this aspect of our LORD as JEHOVAH JIREH leads us to Love and Trust God more >which leads us to do something about that-=zeal and fruit.
All sins, immorality, criticism, ribald jokes , murder, deceit are aimed at God. He sets the standard for behavior and we despise him at times by our behavior. WE have said or thought " Lord I cannot get a grip on this sin in my life!!" Jehovah Jireh. He will help you-no He will provide perseverance for you. The best will be provided. He provides but how does he provide? Most excellently. Perfectly. Justly. Mercifully. We may be bound on an altar, our arms tied down, the knife at our throat and our LORD provides the alternative to our death and destruction.
God provided God. I know no other Gospel. Lord you have the words of eternal life. Romans 8:32. He spared not His own Son, but delivered HIM up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"
Where does he provide? In the mountain. In the place of our trial. I dwell in a spiritual house not made with hands. So do you. Every stone in our house is laid for a purpose. Each stone represents a sickness, a job loss, a test, a trial and how will we remember the purpose of each stone? Each stone represents lovingkindness from my father God. My house is built as a reminder of what God has provided. The walls of love are still rising.
Faith is not real until tested. What are some Isaacs in your life that you need to lay down. We go through tests and learn from them about God and his timing, His character. Not always is our lesson learned immediately. But remember those tests and what you learned. REMEMBER to evaluate your life and not just float through. See that house as it is built. What a blessing to see God working and providing.
I want to be obedient. Only God can put that ability in me. I have been a failure. But I am not quitting. N0 excuses as in the past. Delayed obedience is immediate disobedience. Partial obedience=complete disobedience.
Back to Genesis 22:5-what about the worship piece? When we go to worship, God demands our all. Worship requires we surrender our all to him. Does that bring up a picture of grim faces and prim and proper 4 part harmony at all times? God did not want Isaacs life he wanted Abrahams heart. Galatians 3:29
God's infinite provision is always greater than our earthly problems.
When we see God show himself as providing -He should be praised. Worship is our response. Psalm 46. God is our refuge and strength. Our ever present help in trouble.
Psalm 48:9-14
Psalm 63:3-8 My life verse
Because your love is better than life., my lips will glorify you....
Let's pray.
Jehovah Jireh
Discussion Questions
- What do you suppose the two servants talked about waiting for Abraham and Isaac?
- What do you think Sarah was thinking about this little trip her guys took?
- Have you something in your life that you hope God never asks you to lay on the altar? Can you hear God saying "Do you love me more than_____?"
- Can you think of a time The LORD has provided for you?Why do you think He provided that particular thing? How was HIS timing?
- Share prayer requests as the LORD leads. If you want to ask GOD to give you more faith to be completely obedient, now is a time we can pray for one another for that need. Or if you need the LORD to show Himself as Jireh-ask for this!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
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