Experiencing God as Jehovah Sabaoth Finding a Plan and a Promise for Your Difficulties Joshua 5:13-15; 6:1-7

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Oswin Wright
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1 Experiencing God as Jehovah Sabaoth Finding a Plan and a Promise for Your Difficulties Joshua 5:13-15; 6: When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, Are you for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, What does my lord say to his servant? 15 And the commander of the LORD s army said to Joshua, Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy. And Joshua did so. Joshua 6:1-7 1 Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. 2 And the LORD said to Joshua, See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. 3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. 4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 And when they make a long blast with the ram s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him. 6 So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark of the LORD. 7 And he said to the people, Go forward. March around the city and let the armed men pass on before the ark of the LORD. The Meaning of the Name Jehovah Sabaoth Found as LORD of Host in our English Bibles. This is another way of saying, God of the Angels. The term host means army or other organized group. Multitudes in the service of God. The Captain of Heaven s Armies Jehovah Sabaoth is the God of the angelic host who carry out His will. The phrase Jehovah Sabaoth occurs 281 times in the Old Testament and denotes that the God of

2 Israel brought heavenly powers to the aid of His needy people. The Use of the Name in Scripture The name, the LORD of HOST (Jehovah Sabaoth) is never found in the Pentateuch, Joshua or Judges. It rarely occurs in the books of Kings or Chronicles, and not much more than that in the book of Psalms. It is a phrase mostly related to the Prophets. The name is prominently used 80 times in Jeremiah, the prophet who wept over the destruction of Jerusalem. It also occurs 14 times in Haggai, 50 times in Zechariah, and 25 times in Malachi, the Last book of the Old Testament. Jehovah Sabaoth is the Lord of all the host of heaven He is in charge of everything He is the LORD over all creation. He is LORD over the animal host. He is LORD over the angelic host. He is LORD over the host of mankind He is LORD over the weather systems He is LORD over the political systems He is LORD over the economic systems. He is LORD of Everything He is LORD over All!!!!!! What happens first when you experience God as Jehovah Sabaoth? You can realize the presence of God in the midst of your problems. Not just a matter of feeling. The reality of His presence is there. More than just words out of your mouth A real sense that He is there with you Walking with you. Look at Joshua 6:27 So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land. Even, if you don t what to do, where to go but you want a real spiritual awareness that He is with you. This will happen when you experience God as Jehovah Sabaoth!!!! Remember last week we learn several things about this meeting The Difficulties that bring us to this Meeting With God. 5:13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold,

3 there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? ESV - 13 When Joshua was by Jericho Joshua and the people came to this place for a purpose. Jericho was the mightiest walled city in the land in its day. You have come up against a Jericho a fortified and mighty walled city The Dilemma at Such a Meeting Joshua is at the wall and is wondering how can he carry out this assignment.. How is this problem going to be solved How I m I going to get me and my family through this time How is the answer going to come. Who is for me????? Who is going to help me through this??? Who. Where How I m going to get through.. This is where Joshua is And a Man shows up with a drawn sword. Joshua is startled And Joshua ask him if He is going to help him or hinder him. Are you on my side or another enemy that I m going to have to fight. You have been asking everyone are you going to help me? I ve asked myself how is this problem going to be solved The Discovery we Make This Meeting vs 13 The man with the drawn sword answered. No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come. He says no not a matter of whom I m for or against it s a matter of who I Am. I ve not come to take sides, I ve come to take charge!!!! Joshua I m the One who has all the answers I m the One who has control of everything I m the One who is in charge of it all I m the One who is running the show The big question is not if I m on your side. The big question is, are you on my side?

4 A Decision to Make at this Meeting And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, This Is God s Call to Worship Notice next what Joshua said. What does my lord say to his servant? We bow down and say from our hearts Lord, what do you have to say to my heart. What did God tell Joshua to do? He told him to take off his shoes.he was on holy ground A very simple thing to do. A Call to Obedience Joshua did it. Now notice what happens next! God did not give Canaan to Joshua all at once He had to fight for every square inch of it. Canaan rest does not mean you do not have battles In wilderness fighting against God In Canaan fighting with God against enemies The doors of Jericho was shut up tight. And Joshua is asking what to do and meets a man with a drawn sword When you begin to call out for a meeting with the LORD of Host this is what will happen You Will Receive God s Plan In The Midst of Your Perplexity. You might be asking how should I proceed at the point in my life with these difficulties and problems. I need direction. I need a plan Jeremiah 29: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. When you meet Jehovah Sabaoth you will receive a plan

5 And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, What does my lord say to his servant? 15 And the commander of the LORD s army said to Joshua, Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy. And Joshua did so. How do you know that Jehovah Sabaoth has given you a plan? How do you know that this plan is from the Lord? It will be Encompassing in Its Perception 1 Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. God knew that God knew every brick that made up the city walls God knew every person that made up the city of Jericho God knew everything about the city of Jericho and the people in it When God is at work He is taking everyone and everything into account. The story of Jonah the right sea the right ship the sailors on the ship When Jonah called upon his God. God is El Roi He sees everything that is going on around you. He knows what will be the best thing to do. He knows wahts in the heart of everyone. He knows the motives of everyone involved Some of us chose the worst time to make the biggest decisions in our lives. When we are discouraged when we are aggravated when we are worn out tired.. exhausted. When we are in the valley and can t see the whole picture instead of the mountain top where we can get a better a perspective When we are experiencing Jehovah Sabaoth He sees everything takes everything into consideration. Proverbs 3:5-6 Even if you are in the valley you can talk to the One who is in the sky and say, God what s Your plan? It will be Encouraging in Its Promise 2 And the LORD said to Joshua, See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor

6 Many of us need an encouraging word today!!!! When I was going through one of the most difficult times in my life God gave me a promise in the middle of the night. Isaiah 41:9-10 ; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off ; 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 13 For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, Fear not, I am the one who helps you. 14 Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. I will never forget Sid Barker shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer and his testimony in the Heritage Service He said as he as praying and reading his Bible that God gave him a promise Exodus 14: And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." Jehovah Sabaoth will give you a Encouraging Word of Promise from His Word!!!!! Have you received this word????? Jeremiah 29: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Encouraging Words in a Promise!!! God s Plans will be Elementary in Their Proposal. Vs. 3-5 They will be simple enough that anyone can understand!!!!! 3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. 4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

7 5 And when they make a long blast with the ram s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him. Might not sound logical but very simple Are these plans hard to understand? We come up with a complex schemes to work things out. When we meet Jehovah Sabaoth in the midst of your perplexity He will tell you. It Will Be Essential in Its Practice You have to be obedient to His plan not try to figure it out just follow it In the next chapter.. one man refused to follow the plan and he messed it up for everyone. Achan Trust in the Lord. Delight in the Lord. You must do what says in order to receive what God promises!!!! We don t have to earn the promises of God but we must cooperate with Him so He can trust us with the answer and the blessings We are learning to walk with discipline as we follow God s plan One more thing. God s Plan will be Exciting in Its Prospect!!!!! Imagine meeting with a group of men to figure out the strategy to conquer the city of Jericho. Joshua meets with the leaders of Israel. To reveal the plan God gave him. We are going to walk around the city When God is in something.it is exciting and people will get excited about it. Instead of being so negative and complaining and down in the dumps If you meet with Jehovah Sabaoth you will find an exciting journey. So many people over the years This week Earl Dalton his positive spirit. When you Meet Jehovah Sabaoth and He Gives You a Plan: It will be Encompassing in Its Perception It will be Encouraging in Its Promise It will be Elementary in Its Proposal. It Will Be Essential in Its Practice It will be Exciting in Its Prospect...

8 Psalm 84: How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. 8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah 9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! 10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Our Theme Verse for 2016 Psalm 9:10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. 1 Rainbow Forest Mission Statement Connecting the Disconnected