Today’s Open Heaven devotional (18 March 2025) is THE LORD OF HOSTS
The daily devotion guide is written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVEN 18 MARCH 2025 DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: THE LORD OF HOSTS
MEMORISE
As for our redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 47:4
READ: Isaiah 51:15-16
15 But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts is his name.
16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 18 MARCH 2025 MESSAGE
According to Psalm 24:7-10, God is the Lord of hosts; the Commander-in-chief of all hosts in heaven, on earth, and underneath the earth.
Even the devil operates within the confines of what He allows, as we see in the book of Job.
God can deal with any number of demons, be it one as in Mark 1:23-27, seven as in Luke 8:1-3, or a legion as in Mark 5:2-20. If there are any demonic forces interfering with your life, they will be put to shame, in Jesus’ name.
I used to say that the Lord of hosts never loses a battle, but recently, He corrected me and said, “Son, I can choose to lose a battle to win a war. I can never lose a war.” Sometimes, the Lord of hosts, in His divine wisdom, can choose to lose a battle because there is a greater war to win. For example, He allowed the devil to touch Job’s possessions and health because He wanted to showcase the excellency of His power. In another example, Pharaoh’s magicians did the same things Moses and Aaron did when they first confronted Pharaoh.
However, it got to a point where they were terrified and declared, “This is the finger of God..” (Exodus 8:19). God permitted Pharaoh to remain stubborn so that He could reveal His mighty hand (Romans 9:17).
While Stephen was being stoned, Saul watched, and the devil rejoiced. The devil must have thought that he had won when he eliminated Stephen, not knowing that the agent he used to oversee the task would later become a major general in God’s army. God had a bigger picture; He planned to use Saul to wreak great havoc on the kingdom of hell, and He succeeded. The Lord of hosts wins every war. No matter how terrible things get, when He steps on the scene, everything will align in favour of His beloved children. No wonder Paul said, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Beloved, the Lord of hosts isn’t just the mighty Man in battle; He is also the only wise God (1 Timothy 1:17). He can rearrange things to suit His purpose – even the worst of situations.
Trust Him to use whatever unpleasant situation that exists in your life for your good and for His glory.
KEY POINT
The Lord of hosts never loses a war; He arranges everything to suit His purposes.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Judges 14-16
HYMN 18: PRAISE TO THE LORD THE ALMIGHTY
Open Heaven 18 March 2025 Commentary
Today’s Open Heavens devotional draws deeply from Scripture to remind us believers of the sovereignty, wisdom, and ultimate victory of God, the Lord of hosts. Let’s break it down and reflect on its key themes:
1. The Sovereignty of the Lord of Hosts (Psalm 24:7-10)
The passage begins by emphasizing God’s supreme authority as the “Lord of hosts,” a title that signifies His command over all spiritual and physical forces – whether in heaven, on earth, or beneath the earth. This title reassures believers that no power, not even the devil, operates outside of God’s control.
The reference to Job illustrates this perfectly: Satan could only act within the boundaries God set (Job 1:12, 2:6). This truth should bring comfort to you, knowing that even in spiritual warfare, God is in control.
2. God’s Power Over Demonic Forces
Jesus has authority over demons no matter their number (Mark 1:23-27, Luke 8:1-3, Mark 5:2-20). These examples demonstrate that no demonic force is too great for God to handle. The assurance that “they will be put to shame, in Jesus’ name” is a powerful reminder of the authority believers have in Christ. This should encourage us to stand firm in faith, knowing that through Jesus, we have victory over any spiritual opposition.
3. God’s Wisdom in Losing Battles to Win Wars
The devotional takes a profound turn when it mentions God’s correction: “I can choose to lose a battle to win a war. I can never lose a war.” This is a critical insight into God’s divine wisdom. Sometimes, what appears to be a loss or a setback in our eyes is part of God’s greater plan to achieve ultimate victory. The examples of Job and Pharaoh illustrate this principle:
- Job: God allowed Satan to afflict Job, not because He was powerless to stop it, but to demonstrate Job’s faithfulness and God’s sovereignty. In the end, Job’s suffering led to a deeper revelation of God’s power and restoration (Job 42:10-17).
- Pharaoh: God hardened Pharaoh’s heart to display His glory through the plagues and the Exodus. What seemed like a prolonged battle was actually a stage for God’s mighty works (Exodus 8:19, Romans 9:17).
These examples remind us that God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). Even when we don’t understand His methods, we can trust His purposes.
4. God’s Bigger Picture: The Story of Saul (Acts 7-9)
The stoning of Stephen and the subsequent conversion of Saul (later Paul) is a powerful example of God’s ability to turn apparent defeat into victory. The devil may have thought he had won by silencing Stephen, but God was orchestrating a greater plan. Saul, who oversaw Stephen’s death, became one of the greatest apostles, spreading the gospel and advancing God’s kingdom. This reminds us that God can use even the most unlikely people and situations for His glory.
5. All Things Work Together for Good (Romans 8:28)
The devotional concludes with this foundational promise. For believers, no circumstance—no matter how difficult—is beyond God’s ability to redeem and use for good. This doesn’t mean that everything that happens is good, but rather that God can weave even the darkest threads into His grand tapestry of redemption and glory.
6. Trusting God’s Wisdom and Timing
The closing exhortation to trust God in unpleasant situations is a call to faith. God is not only the “mighty Man in battle” but also the “only wise God” (1 Timothy 1:17). He can rearrange circumstances, transform lives, and bring beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3). Our role is to trust Him, even when we can’t see the bigger picture.
Application for Believers:
- Stand Firm in Faith: Remember that God is sovereign over all spiritual forces. No demonic opposition can thwart His plans.
- Embrace God’s Wisdom: Trust that even when things seem to go wrong, God is working behind the scenes for a greater purpose.
- Look for the Bigger Picture: Like Saul’s conversion, what seems like a setback may be a setup for a greater victory.
- Rest in God’s Promises: Cling to Romans 8:28, knowing that God is working all things for your good and His glory.
In summary, this devotional is a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and ultimate victory. It calls us to trust in His greater plan, even in the midst of trials, and to rest in the assurance that He is the Lord of hosts – the One who never loses a war.
Read RCCG Open Heaven Devotional for Tomorrow
Download Open Heaven 18 March 2025 Devotional PDF
Leave a Reply