Yahweh Saba'ath: The Lord God Almighty's Power and Presence

Devotional

Day 1: God Almighty Hears Our Desperate Prayers

Hannah’s story shows that even in our deepest anguish and distress, we can pour out our hearts to the Lord God Almighty, trusting that He sees, hears, and cares for us. When we are at the end of ourselves, unable to change our circumstances, God invites us to come honestly before Him, just as Hannah did, knowing that He is powerful enough to intervene and compassionate enough to draw near. In moments of despair, our prayers are not ignored; the Lord of Hosts is attentive to the cries of His people and able to bring hope where there seems to be none. [04:46]

1 Samuel 1:10-11 (ESV)
She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

Reflection: When have you last brought your deepest pain or longing honestly before God? What would it look like to pour out your heart to Him today, trusting that He hears you?

Day 2: The Lord of Hosts Fights Our Battles

David’s victory over Goliath was not about his own strength or skill, but about knowing whose side he was on—the Lord of the Angel Armies. When we face overwhelming challenges, we can stand in confidence, not because of our own resources, but because God Himself goes before us, surrounding us with His power and the unseen hosts of heaven. The spiritual battles we encounter are real, but so is the presence and authority of the Lord God Almighty who fights for His people. [06:27]

1 Samuel 17:45 (ESV)
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

Reflection: What “giant” are you facing right now that feels insurmountable? How can you step forward in faith, trusting that the Lord of Hosts is fighting for you?

Day 3: God’s Presence Brings Security Amid Chaos

In a world filled with turmoil and uncertainty, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. No matter how chaotic or unstable things may seem around us, His presence provides unshakable security and peace. The Lord Almighty is with us, and He invites us to be still and know that He is God, finding rest in His sovereignty even when everything else is shaking. [15:20]

Psalm 46:1-11 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Reflection: Where do you feel chaos or instability in your life or in the world? How can you intentionally rest in God’s presence and let Him be your refuge today?

Day 4: God’s Kingdom Is Victorious and Everlasting

The Lord God Almighty, the King of glory, has already won the ultimate victory through Jesus Christ. Though we live in a world where battles still rage, we can have hope and confidence because His kingdom is everlasting, and His dominion endures for all generations. One day, all who belong to Jesus will join the joyful assembly of angels and believers, celebrating the complete victory of our King who reigns forever. [21:51]

Hebrews 12:22-24 (ESV)
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Reflection: How does the promise of God’s ultimate victory and everlasting kingdom shape the way you face challenges and uncertainties today?

Day 5: God Sees You and Invites You to Confidence

No matter what you are facing or what prayers seem unanswered, God sees you, knows you, and invites you to approach Him with confidence. Like Hannah and David, you are called to contend for more, to step into the spiritual awakening God is stirring, and to trust that His presence goes with you. The Lord of Hosts is not distant; He is intimately involved in your life, ready to empower you to bring hope and light wherever you go. [17:28]

Psalm 34:15 (ESV)
The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to step out in confidence, believing that God sees you and is with you? What is one practical step you can take today to trust Him more deeply?

Sermon Summary

Throughout the journey of exploring the names of God, one stands out as a powerful summation of His character: Yahweh Saba’oth, the Lord of Hosts, the Almighty, the Lord of the Angel Armies. This name, appearing over 270 times in the Old Testament, reveals God’s ultimate authority and majesty over all creation—spiritual and earthly, visible and invisible. It’s not just a military title, but a declaration that God commands every force, every host, and every circumstance, and that He is intimately involved in the lives of His people.

The first mention of Yahweh Saba’oth comes from the anguished prayer of Hannah, who, in her distress, pours out her soul before God. Her story reminds us that God draws near to those who are desperate, who cry out to Him from the depths of their need. This is not a distant, impersonal deity, but the Almighty who sees, hears, and responds to the cries of His children.

David’s confrontation with Goliath further illustrates the power of invoking the Lord of Hosts. David’s victory was not due to his own strength or weaponry, but because he knew whose authority he stood under. The spiritual reality behind our visible struggles is profound; there is a cosmic battle, and God’s angelic armies are present, even when unseen. Stories from personal experience and scripture alike remind us that the spiritual realm is real, and God’s protection and intervention are active.

Psalm 46 anchors us in the truth that, amid chaos and turmoil—whether in the world or in our own lives—God is our refuge and strength. The Lord of Hosts is with us, providing stability and security when everything else is shaking. The call to “be still and know that I am God” is not a gentle suggestion, but a powerful command to recognize His unshakable presence and sovereignty, even when the world is in uproar.

As followers of Jesus, we live in the reality that the ultimate victory has already been won. Christ, the King of Glory, has triumphed over darkness, and the Holy Spirit empowers us to live with confidence and hope. We are invited to step into this cosmic story, to contend for more, to carry hope into a world in need, and to remember that one day, we will join the joyful assembly of angels and saints in the presence of the Lord of Hosts.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Authority Extends Over All Realms God is not limited to the physical world; His authority encompasses both the seen and unseen, the earthly and the spiritual. This means that no situation, no battle, and no force is beyond His command. When we pray, we are appealing to the One who commands angel armies and holds all things together. [01:44]
2. Desperate Prayer Draws God’s Nearness Hannah’s story teaches that in our moments of deepest anguish, when words fail and only tears remain, God is especially close. He is not repelled by our pain or confusion; rather, He meets us there, often birthing new hope and purpose from our cries. Our vulnerability before Him is not weakness, but the doorway to His intervention. [04:46]
3. Spiritual Reality Shapes Our Everyday Lives The spiritual battle is not a distant concept but a present reality. Whether through oppression, fear, or inexplicable heaviness, we encounter the effects of this unseen war. Yet, God’s angelic hosts surround and protect us, and His presence brings light into darkness. Recognizing this reality calls us to pray with authority and live with spiritual awareness. [08:23]
4. God’s Presence Brings Stability Amid Chaos Psalm 46 reminds us that, even as the world shakes and nations rage, God is our unshakable refuge. His presence is not just a comfort but a fortress, providing security when everything else is uncertain. To “be still and know” is to anchor ourselves in His sovereignty, refusing to be defined by fear or turmoil. [13:59]
5. Hope and Victory Are Ours in Christ Because of Jesus, the victory over darkness is already secured. We are not fighting for victory, but from victory. This empowers us to bring hope to others, to live with confidence, and to anticipate the day when we will join the heavenly assembly in worship. Our hope is not wishful thinking, but rooted in the unchanging character of the Lord of Hosts. [21:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:38] - Introduction to Yahweh Saba’oth
[01:44] - God’s Majesty and Authority
[03:02] - Hannah’s Desperate Prayer
[04:46] - God’s Nearness in Distress
[05:10] - David and Goliath: Invoking the Lord of Hosts
[06:27] - The Spiritual and Military Context
[07:45] - Personal Stories of Spiritual Battle
[08:59] - Elisha and the Angelic Army
[10:25] - God Commands His Angels
[11:19] - Reading Psalm 46 Together
[13:27] - Declaring God’s Presence and Refuge
[14:56] - God’s Sovereignty Over Chaos
[16:39] - Jesus, the Ultimate Victory
[17:10] - Perspective: The Bigger Story
[18:37] - Confidence and Contending for More
[19:32] - Bringing Hope to Others
[20:32] - The Uniqueness of Our God
[21:15] - The Final Victory and Heavenly Assembly

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Yahweh Saba’oth – The Lord of Hosts**

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### Bible Reading

**1 Samuel 1:9-20** (Hannah’s prayer to the Lord of Hosts)
**1 Samuel 17:41-47** (David confronts Goliath in the name of the Lord of Hosts)
**Psalm 46** (God is our refuge and strength, the Lord of Hosts is with us)

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### Observation Questions

In Hannah’s story (1 Samuel 1), what is the significance of her addressing God as “Lord of Hosts” in her prayer? What does her situation reveal about her understanding of God’s character? [03:02]
When David faces Goliath, how does he describe the authority he stands under? What does he say to Goliath about the Lord of Hosts? [05:10]
In Psalm 46, what images are used to describe chaos and God’s response to it? How many times is “the Lord Almighty” or “the Lord of Hosts” mentioned in this psalm? [11:57]
According to the sermon, what are some ways the spiritual realm and angelic armies are described as active in the world and in our lives? [08:23]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Hannah’s desperate prayer was the first time the name “Lord of Hosts” was used in Scripture? What does this suggest about how God responds to our deepest needs? [04:46]
The sermon mentions that David’s victory over Goliath was not about his own strength, but about knowing whose authority he stood under. What does this teach about facing challenges in our own lives? [19:03]
Psalm 46 commands us to “be still and know that I am God.” In the context of chaos and turmoil, what does it mean to “be still” and how is this different from simply being passive? [15:35]
The sermon talks about the reality of spiritual battles and God’s angelic protection. How should this awareness shape the way we pray and live day to day? [08:23]

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### Application Questions

Hannah poured out her soul to God in her distress. When was the last time you prayed with that kind of desperation? What holds you back from being that honest with God? [04:46]
David faced Goliath with confidence in the Lord of Hosts. Think of a current challenge or “giant” in your life—how might your approach change if you truly believed God’s authority and armies are with you? [05:10]
The sermon described real experiences of spiritual heaviness and oppression. Have you ever sensed a spiritual battle in your own life or home? How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [08:23]
Psalm 46 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” In what area of your life do you need to experience God as your refuge right now? What would it look like to “be still” in that situation? [13:59]
The speaker shared about bringing hope to a friend who was dying. Who in your life needs hope right now? What is one practical way you can carry hope to them this week? [19:32]
The sermon says, “We are not fighting for victory, but from victory.” How does this truth affect your confidence and outlook when you face spiritual or personal battles? [21:15]
One day, we will join the joyful assembly of angels and saints. How does this future hope shape the way you live and pray today? [21:51]

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Sermon Clips

And I had no idea when I volunteered to do this one that it was all about Hannah. And those of you that know a little bit about our story, you'll see why that's quite poignant. But I think there's something about the prayer of despair and distress. There is something about crying out to God in anguish that God comes close. The God Almighty who can change the situation. And sometimes we're all in that place of utter need. That's the only thing we know what to do. [00:04:31] (31 seconds) #PrayerInDespair

What you find here in this story, this beautiful story of David and the giant Goliath, is that he's actually evoking that name. And standing on that name, and as he does so, the hosts of angels are standing with him, and the power of the Lord God Almighty. It says in 1 Chronicles 11, verse 9, David went on to become a great king, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. So we see that this is a military name for God in this context, but for the Israelites and for us, it's not just a military human context. It's actually a spiritual context. [00:05:47] (42 seconds) #DavidAndGoliathFaith

Something powerful, isn't there? When we stand together and we declare the God of the angel armies, the Lord God of hosts, the Lord God of mighty is with us, which is mentioned twice in this psalm. What's amazing about this psalm is that it starts with, God is my refuge and my strength. Most of us, if you've been a Christian a while, will have said that somewhere along the line. He's the present help in trouble. When I don't know what to do, that's where I go. We will not fear. [00:13:27] (33 seconds) #GodIsOurRefuge

And his emphasis on this raging chaos is to find his unshakable presence in the power and presence that he has for us in the midst of it all. God's kingdom here, we read in verse 10, is everlasting. His dominion endures for all generations. So essentially, the Old Testament message was God is with us. And he's for us. And he's right in the midst of everything that's going on. But of course, we are New Testament people. And we are here because we know Jesus. And Jesus loves us. [00:15:59] (40 seconds) #UnshakablePresence

Secondly, confidence. Hannah had the confidence, the desperation to fall down on our knees and invoke God Almighty. Despite what the man priest thought. Because it wasn't done deal. She went beyond all the norms to actually do that. So I do believe really strongly. And Moira really expressed that so well. We're in moments now where God is asking us seriously to contend for the more. Spiritually, people are hungry right now. I think more ever in my lifetime. And he wants us to have confidence. [00:17:30] (45 seconds) #CosmicSpiritualBattle

There are people of other religions having dreams about Jesus. There are people finding Jesus. More Bibles have been sold than ever before. Young people are open to the gospel than ever before. There is an awakening going on right now. And we need to have the confidence to step into it. Thirdly, God is with us. He's with you. King David's success against Goliath wasn't because he got great armor, which he threw on the floor. It's because he knew whose side he was on. When you pray, you are invoking the king of the angel armies to come to your aid. [00:18:15] (45 seconds) #ConfidenceInGod

I find that really powerful. I find that really encouraging. And so David went on to be a great king. I do believe right now in 2025 that we have got the most hope. And it's been said, those with the most hope have the most influence. We carry the influence of the presence of God wherever we go if we choose to step into it. We can choose not to very easily. A week ago, a person came to my home, not a believer, and asked me a question. How can I bring hope to my friend who's dying? [00:19:01] (47 seconds) #SpiritualAwakening

Now, when you're sitting in the kitchen and someone asks you that question, how can I bring hope to my friend who's dying? I've only got one choice but to talk about God, who is the beginning and the end of it all. And fortunately, upstairs on my desk, I happened to have a pebble that said, I am the Alpha and the Omega. And I was able to talk to this lady. Fourthly, there's no one like our God. Who is a God like you? Psalm 24 is a psalm that in Chester we've prayed many times. Lift up your gates, you ancient doors, that the King of glory might come in. [00:19:47] (44 seconds) #GodIsWithUs

We've walked walls. We've got down on our knees. And we said, who is this King of glory? He is the Lord God Almighty. He alone is the one who can come and give people hope. There's no other God like him. Fifthly, victory. On the night that Jesus was born, there was a great company, a host of heaven. And they were rejoicing because they knew what was going to happen. That baby was going to become our savior. God made flesh. The resurrected Jesus is now that King of glory. He's surrounded by the armies of heaven. [00:20:30] (44 seconds) #MajestyAndAuthority

And I put a few crowns out for people to wear because we will be wearing crowns, not the angels. We will be wearing the crowns that Jesus fought for, that his blood was shed for. This angelic army, this set of believers and martyrs that have gone before will be standing with the Lord of the ancient, the Lord of the angel armies, the Lord God Almighty. We will be with them in glory. [00:22:09] (33 seconds) #SpiritualBattleReal

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