365 Days of the Great Names of God, Day 283: Lord of Heaven's Armies

Lord of Heaven's Armies

" 'Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?' Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him. 'Don’t worry about this Philistine,' David told Saul. 'I’ll go fight him!' Saul finally consented. 'All right, go ahead,' he said. 'And may the LORD be with you!' Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. 'I can’t go in these,' he protested to Saul. 'I’m not used to them.' So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine. Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 'Am I a dog,' he roared at David, 'that you come at me with a stick?' David replied to the Philistine, 'You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you...and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD ’s battle, and he will give you to us!' " (1 Samuel 17:26, 32, 37, 38-43, 45-47 NLT)

Picture the scene in your mind: the giant Goliath is a fierce and feared warrior, experienced in battle and armed for it. He is ruthless and terrifying. No one dares defy him, save one bold but ill-prepared volunteer: not a man, even, but a mere boy who is neither experienced nor armed.

When Goliath looks at David, what he sees with his human eyes is a shepherd boy, all alone, equipped only with a sling, a staff, and some stones. But what David sees with spiritual eyes of faith is a willing servant of the Lord Most High, advancing against a foe not by himself but in the company of an army of heavenly warriors led by Yahweh-Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts.

David knows it is not he himself Goliath has defied; it is God he has defied. David knows it is not he himself who will conquer the giant; it is God who will conquer. David knows it is not he himself who will rescue God's people; it is God who will rescue. David knows it is not his battle he is fighting; it is God's battle—and the Lord of Heaven's Armies will fight...and win.

You might be facing a giant today. It might look big and impressive...fearsome, armed, and experienced in battle. When this giant looks at you, it might see only a lone opponent, unprepared and unarmed. When you look at yourself facing this giant, that might be all you see, too. 

But look again. Look with spiritual eyes that are focused by faith. See yourself being carried along by a company of divine warriors, sent by their Leader who calls you His child, and tell this giant, "I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Today the Lord will conquer you."

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Song suggestion: "Whom Shall I Fear [God of Angel Armies];" Chris Tomlin; 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOkImV2cJDg.