This verse references God as the 'LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel'. The word hosts means a mass of people organized for war. A one-word definition would be army. The mighty One of Israel, Jehovah, is the LORD of armies.
What is the purpose of an army? Is it to fight? How then could a loving God Almighty be a God of armies? How could a loving, peaceable God be a God of war?
"And there was war in heaven (Rev. 12:7 KJV)."
"That old serpent, called the devil: ... he was cast out into the earth (Rev. 12:9 KJV)."
"And I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven (Lu. 10:18 KJV)."
War began when Lucifer rebelled against God. Lucifer lost the battle in Heaven. He was cast to the earth. He launched another offensive against God in Eden with the deception of Eve.
Satan may have thought he'd won when Christ took his last human breath on the cross. We know, however, ultimate victory was declared when Christ rose from the dead. The devil must be aware of his final demise, yet he continues to battle.
We love to read of and hear sermons about the spiritual armor of Ephesians 6. We get excited when we read and hear of the Apostle Paul having fought a good fight (2Ti. 4:7). Do we understand the concept that our God is a God of war? Do we comprehend that those whom God has chosen are called to fight? Paul does refer to those whom God chooses as soldiers (2Ti. 2:4).
The chosen ones of God, the people who are called by his name, the redeemed of the Lamb, are in a fight for eternity. The destination of our eternal soul hangs in the balance of victory or defeat.
Christ won complete and perfect victory at Calvary. The war, however, still rages in our minds because the enemy is a master deceiver. We must keep fighting the good fight. We must keep the faith and finish the course. Defeat should not be an option.
Prayer is communication with the Commander, the LORD of hosts. Prayer is where we receive our orders. God did not call us as soldiers to fight his war without equipping us with a weapon. He has given us, and we should learn to use, the Sword of the Spirit. The Sword of the Spirit is quick, powerful, and sharp (Heb. 4:12).
I encourage all who follow Christ to put on the armor of Ephesians 6. I encourage all to endure hardship like a good soldier of Christ (2Ti. 2:3). I encourage and admonish all who fight the good fight to not get tangled up with the affairs of this present life (2Ti. 2:4).
The moment will come when we rise victorious as we look directly into the eyes of Jesus Christ. The moment will come when we relish the victory when we hear the words, "well done my good and faithful servant". God bless...
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