Though the Lord of Hosts is omnipotent, the world’s salvation depends on the completion of His atonement mission.

Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts…" 1 Samuel 17:45

Nations with immense nuclear capabilities must practice restraint. Many press their governments to crush every skirmish with an atom-capped missile. The Lord of hosts could have unleashed 12 legions of angels to rescue Jesus from the cross, but allows the carnage because the world’s salvation depends on the completion of the atonement mission. We live in the tension of knowing that God is Lord of hosts, but watching apparent disaster shape around us. We cry for the blasts of the angelic hosts, but finally rest in knowing He has defended us from much worse than what our limited vision can see.