Lesson 1
Yahweh-Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts, Deliverer
Read 1 Samuel 17 www.bible.com/bible/59/1sa.17.esv

Not many people have had an opportunity to trust Yahweh-Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts, to the extent that David did when he faced the giant Goliath. King Saul and the Israelite army had been trembling in fear for forty days, listening to Goliath’s challenge morning and evening. David, who was too young to be in the army, had been sent by their father to bring food to his older brothers, soldiers in Saul’s army. Notice the difference between David’s focus, and what Saul and his army focused on. The soldiers looked up at the huge, muscular giant, and shook with fear. Young David looked up higher at Yahweh-Sabaoth, his Deliverer, Who is infinitely stronger and more powerful than any man no matter how big, and marched forward with courage.

When you face the “giants” in your life, where is your focus? On your circumstances, which can be overwhelming? Or do you choose to gaze on your Deliverer, the Lord of Hosts, as David did? David believed God was in complete control of what was happening, and that God would deliver the Israelites from their enemies. The soldiers in Saul’s army allowed the enemy giant to overwhelm and paralyze them; they didn’t trust God to deliver them.

Jesus experienced every temptation and trouble that we could ever face, and He knows and understands what we’re going through. Jesus didn’t eat or drink anything for forty days and nights while in the wilderness (the same amount of time that Goliath taunted the Israelites), where He was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus allowed Himself to be crucified for us, and then rose victorious over sin and death. He is now at God the Father’s right hand, offering to be our Yahweh-Sabaoth. We are never alone!

Thinking about the past and looking ahead to the future helps me endure my present trouble. God will be able to use me to comfort others who go through similar difficulties (see 2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Looking back at what I’ve gone through, and how the Sovereign Lord has brought me up from the pit of discouragement and despair, encourages me so much. This is what David did to assure Saul that his Lord of Hosts would enable him to triumph over Goliath. As David looked at the giant, he remembered a lion and a bear that attacked his sheep. Yahweh-Sabaoth had helped him kill both of these savage beasts. Behind Goliath, David could clearly see with the eyes of faith his Defender God, blindingly bright in His Shekinah glory, so much greater and more powerful than the giant. (1 Samuel 17:34-37)

Apply God’s Word to your life:
*What or who has been a “Goliath” in your life?
*When have you tried to “wear someone else’s armor”?
*With what results?

Go Deeper: Read more about our Yahweh-Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts:
Malachi 1:10, 14
1 Samuel 1:1-3, 6-7, 10-12
1 Samuel 4:3-4, 10-11
Psalm 20:7
Proverbs 18:10
Jeremiah 20:11-13
Psalm 46:7