"God of... Heaven"

    The second most used term referring to God is found 17 times in the Old Testament and only twice in the New. It’s probably the first fact we learn about God in childhood: “God lives up in heaven;” we sang songs about being careful with what we do and say because “the Father up above is looking down in love,” and that simple fact is as complicated as this term for God gets.

God (Strong’s #H430) – elohim – means divine being

heaven (Strong’s #H8064, Hebrew/O.T.) – shamayin – means the abode of God

  (Strong’s #G3772, Greek/N.T.) – ouranos – means the highest heaven, the dwelling place of God

    You may be thinking, ‘I already knew all this, what more is there to say on the subject?’ Well, I have found through my own personal studies that anytime a term/phrase is mentioned more than once in the Bible each usage is enveloped in a little bit more information so that when we look at each one we learn a bit more and end up with a rather complete picture when we are done!

Side study: Try this for yourself in studying, for example, the phrase “the fear of the LORD” (throughout the Bible) or in studying the passages that mention Joseph of Arimathea (in the New Testament gospels).

    What can we learn from the 18 references to the “God of heaven” in the Bible? Here’s what I have summarized:

We should…

          …seek Him (Daniel 2:17-18, also consider Acts 17:26-27)

…pray to Him (Ezra 6:10, Nehemiah 1:4-5; 2:4, Daniel 2:17-18, also consider 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

…obey His commands (Ezra 1:2, 7:23, also consider 1 John 2:3-6)

…offer sacrifices to Him (Ezra 6:9-10, also consider Romans 12:1-2)

…trust Him (Nehemiah 2:20, Daniel 2:44, also consider Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

…give Him the glory and praise Him (Nehemiah 1:5, Daniel 2:37, Revelation 11:13, also consider Psalm 103:1-5)

…thank Him and bless Him (Psalm 136:26, Daniel 2:17-23, also consider 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Ephesians 1:3)

…confess our faith in Him (Jonah 1:9, also consider Matthew 10:32)

…do good for those who fear Him (Ezra 7:21, also consider Galatians 6:9-10)

…not be like those who blaspheme Him because of their pains and troubles and refuse to repent of their evil deeds (Revelation 16:11, also consider what we should do: trust in His help Psalm 34, be faithful to Him, Romans 12:12, and repent of our wrongdoings, 1 John 1:9, 2 Peter 3:9)

 

    From its first mention in Genesis 24:6 to its last in the book of Revelation, our study of the “God of heaven” is a good reminder to us that He is not simply ‘a being up in the sky’ – He is the very God of heaven! The One to whom we can run to at any time (Hebrews 4:16) and who we can always count on! Let’s follow the Bible examples we have taken note of in this study and seek the God of heaven, pray to Him, obey Him, offer ourselves to Him in daily service, trust Him, praise and magnify Him, give Him all the glory with hearts full of thankfulness for all He has done for us! Let us confess our faith in Him, in word and conduct, be a benefit to those who fear Him, seek His solace when we are suffering, and His forgiveness when we sin!    

You can do it! So can I!!   

"God of... Hosts"

    I would like to take some time now to better understand God, so our faith can flourish, by looking at bible verses that declare/describe God to be the “God of” something. What that something is, or rather what those somethings are, as there are many, is what this study will help you come to know. I hope it will draw attention to aspects of God that you may not have known or focused on and also refresh your heart’s appreciation for the ones you may already be familiar with.

    Let’s begin with “God of hosts” as it is the most used “God of…” phrase in the Bible, appearing 40 times in the Old Testament, 9 of which are found in Amos. It is often written as “LORD God of hosts,” “Lord GOD of hosts,” a few times as “the LORD, the God of hosts,” and twice as “O God of hosts” (in Psalm 80:7, 14).  

Side notes: The term “LORD of hosts” is used 245 times in the Old Testament, but we will limit our study to only the mentions of “God of…” in the Bible. Also, both “God of hosts” and “LORD of hosts” are phrases only found in the Old Testament.

    God declared Himself to be “the LORD, whose name is the God of hosts” (Amos 5:27), so what exactly does it mean? Who are the “hosts”?

    Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance/Hebrew Dictionary shows “hosts” (in every instance we are looking at) to be the Hebrew word: tseba’ah (H6635) This word, tseba’ah, is from the primitive word ‘tsaba’ (H6633*) and means ‘a mass of persons (or figurative things), especially regularly organized for war (an army); by implication a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically hardship, worship): - appointed time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war (-fare).’

*tsaba (H6633) to mass (an army or servants) assemble, fight, perform, muster, wait upon, war

    This term draws our attention to God’s power and authority. He is able to do what He has said. He has a host at His command and servants ready and waiting to obey His command. He is almighty and He will accomplish all that He has declared!

“God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him. O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.” (Psalm 89:7-8 NKJV)

    We can see the term “God of hosts” and leave it at that, just a term, but let your mind dwell on that for a moment. Considering it is like looking up into the night sky. You look up and see maybe a handful of stars at first, but then as you continue to look and your eyes adjust, more stars seem to come out of nowhere, tiny points of light suddenly fill what was moments ago simply a canopy of darkness and your mind fills with wonder as more and more stars continue to come into view.  

    Grab your Bible and turn to 2 Kings 6:14-17 where the King of Syria was making war against Israel. The prophet, Elisha, had a servant who was quite anxious about the enemy’s army surrounding them and so Elisha prayed that the LORD might open the young man’s eyes to the truth of the matter, then told him, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who with them” (v16). What did he see when the LORD opened his eyes? “…behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (v17).

    This is our God, the very God we serve. He is the LORD God of hosts! ‘With God you are the majority’ is not a platitude, but the plain truth. He is the God of hosts. You can trust that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)! We have no need to fear any person, for with our God, the God of hosts, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:31-37, be sure to read this reference – it is SO good!)!!

    God is able. He is the God of hosts, a description of ultimate power, ability, and capability – vast, untold resources and might – this is the God you serve! Do you trust Him? Are your eyes opening to His magnitude? Pray that they might be so that you can confidently put on His armour each day and stand strong in Him and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10-18), knowing without doubt that the very God of hosts surrounds you!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Sing And Make Melody - It Is Well With My Soul

    This week in our 'Singing and Making Melody' series I've selected a hymn that declares a willingness to continue to trust in God no matter what happens in life: "It Is Well With My Soul" written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873

    Horatio Spafford was a prominent American lawyer who, invested in significant properties in Chicago in the 1860s, and then lost a sizable amount of his investment in the Great Fire of Chicago of 1871.

    Two years later, wanting to take a family vacation in Europe, knowing his preacher friend, Dwight L. Moody, would be preaching in England in the Fall, planned the trip accordingly. Due to business demands Spafford sent his wife, Anna, and their four daughters, Anna "Annie" (11), Margaret Lee "Maggie" (9), Elizabeth "Bessie" (5), and Tanetta (2), ahead of him, planning on joining them a short time later.

    On November 22, 1873, while sailing across the Atlantic, an iron sailing vessel struck the ship Anna and her daughters were on. 226 people lost their lives, including all four of the Spafford children. Anna sent a telegram to Horatio stating, "Saved alone."

    It was while Horatio sailed across the Atlantic himself to be with Anna that he thought of these words; as he followed the same course and traveled over the waters where his daughters perished, this hymn was shaped and written.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say,

"It is well, it is well, with my soul."

Chorus:
It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate
and hath shed His own blood for my soul. 
[Chorus]

My sin - O the bliss of this glorious tho't! -
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 
[Chorus]

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend -
Even so, it is well with my soul.
[Chorus]

(as written in the hymnal, "Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs", Copyright 2012, Sumphonia Productions LLC)

    Could you write a hymn to the Lord after such tragedy?

    Mr. Spafford never turned his back on the Lord. It seems that he leaned on him even more heavily for help and comfort. We can learn much from this!

    Consider these words found in Habakkuk 3:17-19:

"Though the fig tree may not blossom,

nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labour of the olive may fail,

and the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

and there be no herd in the stalls -

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The LORD God is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer's feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills."

(NKJV)

    We have a Lord who can sympathize with our struggles and troubles (Hebrews 4:14-15). He tells us to "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). This is a true statement - a real promise of help!

    Almost nine years ago, I lost my Mom very suddenly (of a heart attack), she was only 65 years old and had just had a clean bill of health from her cardiologist. But on a Sunday afternoon in late April, after worshiping with the brethren and going out to lunch with a few of them, my Dad & Mom returned home. My Mom went into the house, walked to the fridge to put the bottle of communion juice away, turned to put her slippers on and collapsed, never to open her eyes in this world again.

    Within a couple hours of this happening, we arrived home (we live four hours south of my parents), and were met by my Aunt & Uncle and cousin, who accepted the role of bearing the heartbreaking news to my family (and my siblings).

    I went with my husband and daughters to worship service that evening and was embraced by my spiritual family there (the church is a wonderful blessing from God!) and spent most of rest of the night praying to God.

    I asked Him to help our family, to help and be near my Dad who was 4 hours away, in the house by himself, in shock at the loss of his wife of 47 years. I praised God for the blessing of my Mom - I had her for 41 years - I am blessed! I thanked Him for her love and gentleness and her example in following Him in her walk as a Christian. He blessed me with moments of sleep and when I would wake I would again ask for help, praise Him, and thank Him.

    Through Him, Mom had hope. Through Him, I have hope. I will one day stand again, shoulder to shoulder with my Mom as we, together, join with all the others who have 'gone on', to sing God's praises!

    I, and my family, faced the next several days with a peace that was indescribable! That's what the peace of God is - see Philippians 4:6-7 - it surpasses understanding and it guarded our hearts and minds!!

    Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!! 

    God's promises are REAL!! He is faithful to keep them!! Never turn from Him! Always, and with all your being, turn to Him!! Lean on Him, receive help, comfort, peace, grace, and mercy from Him in your time of need!

    Think on Habakkuk 3:17-19 today. Thank God for His faithfulness! Thank Him for His care and provision in good times and bad! Sing the song selected for this week with understanding. Declare for yourself that, no matter what happens in this life, because you wholly trust in God "It Is Well With Your Soul."

You can do it! So can I!!