The LORD of hosts... and Emmanuel...

In our Bible study these past few months, the thing that has continued to stand out to me and speak to my heart  is the fact that our God is "The LORD of hosts"...

What a powerful name!  What a mighty image this conjures up in my mind... what comfort and peace this name brings to His children.

I found the following from the lexical aids to the Old Testament regarding the meaning of the name LORD of hosts. 

The Lord of Hosts is a special name for God.  It occurs 62 times in Isaiah, 77 times in Jeremiah, 14 times in Haggai, 53 times in Zechariah, and 24 times in Malachi.  This expression depicts Yahweh as the mightiest Warrior or all-powerful King of Israel.  Although it has military overtones, it pointed directly to Jehovah's rulership over the entire universe.  He stands ready to intervene for His people at any moment.

There is also another name of God that has ministered to me lately.
It is the name Emmanuel, God WITH us...

Our God is The LORD of hosts, and He is Emmanuel, God with us!! And He is ready to intervene for us, at any moment!!

May this bring comfort, peace, and encouragement to those who need it... today, and in the days to come...

"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 
2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 
6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. 
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold." 
Psalm 46:1-7