For some days now, we have looked at various names of God with unique identities that He wants to reveal to us in this season: El-Shaddai (Almighty), Rohi (Shepherd), Jireh (Provider), Rophe (Healer) and Shalom (Peace). We learnt in the previous bulletin that God wants to be our peace in the midst of the battles of life. His shalom can prevail in the face of or in spite of the wars around us. Today, as we address another identity of Jehovah, Tsaba, meaning warrior, commander of heaven armies, we will understand better how He secures our peace.
We are introduced to this name of God in 1 Samuel 17 when the Philistine armies gathered against the Israelites under the reign of Saul. The peculiar challenge to the Israelites was the nine-feet tall champion, Goliath, who led the Philistines with heavy armour and heavy words. For forty days, morning and evening, he shouted taunts to Saul and his men, demanding one Israelite to face him. "When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid." (1 Samuel 17:11)
Why was Saul and his army terrified and shaken? Compared to this Philistine, they believed they were small and inexperienced. In previous battles, the Israelites did not have sufficient weapons of swords or spears, only Saul and his son, Jonathan, were well-armoured (see 1 Samuel 13:19-22). Besides that, Goliath had ensured to register in their minds the lie that they were insignificant, powerless servants of the timid King Saul. So with each passing day their confidence to face this Philistine champion waned. It was not until David showed up at the battlefront that the narrative changed.
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 you in the name of the Lord of hosts [Jehovah Tsaba]
, 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.”
1 Samuel 17:45-47, NKJV (emphasis mine)
David had known God's power and victory through his encounters with bears and lions. Unlike the other Israelites, he knew that they were not merely servants of Saul but the armies of the living God, Yahweh. It was the Lord's honour at stake and for this there was a cause to fight. The battle was not just physical, there was a spiritual dimension and in that realm they had the advantage. His confidence was not in weapons of sword, spear or javelin. He was fighting in the name of the Lord. The battle was not theirs, the battle was and had always been the Lord's.
What Goliath are you battling? What has been a constant torment in your life, family and community? Some families have been battling different kinds of sicknesses, infidelity, divorce, sexual addictions, disappointments, poverty, idolatry and witchcraft. Like the taunts of Goliath, these problem surface year after year, generation after generation. But I declare that this revelation of Jehovah Tsaba, the Lord of heaven's armies, your warrior, is turning things around in your favour.
Saul's error was his confidence in his physical might, records, weapons and experience. It appears he did not know the history behind their possession of the land of Canaan. The sons of Korah had learnt their history and recorded the strategy for Israel's past victories in Psalm 44.
1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, the deeds You did in their days, in days of old: 2 You drove out the nations with Your hand, but them You planted; you afflicted the peoples, and cast them out. 3 For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored [loved, delighted in, were pleased with] them.
Psalm 44:1-3, NKJV, emphasis mine.
Beloved, if you put your confidence in your natural weapons you will utterly fail because your battles are ultimately against a spiritual enemy with spiritual forces. The health, financial and relational battles you are tackling will not be won through complaints, grumbles, quarrels or tears. To tackle the spiritual roots of issues, you must deploy the spiritual weapons you have in Christ.
For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (see 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, AMP).
What divine weapons do we have in Christ? First, we have the love and favour of God in Christ Jesus. In Christ, we have the blessed assurance that God is pleased with us. His glorious countenance shines on us and ahead of us to defeat our enemies. Secondly, Jesus, the One who conquered sin and the grave, is sitting on the right hand of God interceding for us. He has overcome the world for us. You also have God's Spirit in you and He is more powerful than the evil one in the world (1 John 4:4). Further, our Commander has given us a full armour that we must put on as we follow Him (see Ephesians 6:10-18).
Stop defining yourself by your challenges or battles. If the Lord of heaven’s armies is with you and fighting for you, then, like David, you must see yourself as a victor over the enemies facing you. Rally behind your Warrior and Commander while wearing the full armour of God. Stand fast in His truth and righteousness, ground yourself in the Good News of peace and uphold your faith in Him and His promises. Remain conscious of His salvation and attack the lies of the enemy with the sword of God's word and prayer.
Naturally, your heart may react in fear and dismay at the sight or thought of the battles facing you. But, like King Jehoshaphat, when the fears arise, turn to the Lord. In prayer, remind yourself of the deeds and greatness of Jehovah Tsaba, the mighty warrior who goes before you. As you fix your eyes and confidence on Him, fear will give way to faith. Let His praises rise ahead of you and watch Him knock out the challenges before you. See 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. It’s not by your might nor by your power but by His Spirit that you prevail.
Let God fight your battles for you. Allow Him to shift your perspective from the natural to the spiritual. Listen for his voice and His leadings. Believe in His promises and see them fulfilled in your marriage, family, health, work and nation. The Scripture below is one I have come to believe and declare constantly over my life and family. It gives me confidence that God is fighting for us and He will fight for you too!