OUR BANNER

Jehovah-nissi

The LORD is my BANNER!

I first discovered this name of God in Kay Arthur’s Bible Study Lord, I Want to Know You. If you’ve never studied the names of God, I encourage you to grab a copy of her book and delve into the original meanings of His names.

What did Moses mean when he first built an altar in Exodus 17 and named it The LORD is my Banner?

The Israelites were in an intense battle against the Amalekites at Rephidim. While Joshua lead the Israelites in the battle, Moses stood on a mountaintop with Aaron and Hur. When he held the staff high, Israel was winning. However, when his arms grew tired and he lowered his arms, the Amalekites were winning. Moses sat on a rock while Aaron and Hur supported his arms over his head, and God gave the victory to the Israelites. The Lord told Moses to make sure Joshua remembered this by writing it on a scroll. In addition to the scroll, Moses built the altar as a memorial to God that He was the Banner who won the victory that day.

Albert Barnes wrote about Jehovah-nissi, “The meaning is evidently that the name of Yahweh is the true banner under which victory is certain.” (Barnes’ Notes on the Old Testament)

Why is this important for you and me?

Barnabas Piper wrote, “God is our banner because we live to celebrate and honor His faithfulness to us, shown in myriad ways, from the rising sun to the risen Christ. God is our banner because we remember all His deeds and His words graciously given to us in  scripture. God is our banner because He gives us identity, and our label is “God’s children,” because of the saving work of Jesus. God is our banner because we are his representatives to the world, making Him visible and showing the beauty of His transforming work. God is our banner because all of this is an invitation, a gravitational pull, a summons, a tug to any who would believe but do not yet know what that means or how to do so.” (https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/jehovah-nissi-the-lord-is-my-banner.html )

If you are struggling today, allow Jehovah Nissi to be a Banner over you, fighting for you, and slaying your enemy!

Sunday Supplication

Jehovah-nissi, as I praise You this week as my Banner, remind me of the many battles You’ve won on my behalf. Wave Your Banner of victory over me this week, and protect me from the assault of the evil one. In Your Name, Jesus, I pray. AMEN! SO BE IT!

Monday Manna

Let him lead me to the banquet hall,

and let his banner over me be love.

Song of Songs 2:4

Tuesday Treasure

In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. … He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.

Isaiah 11:10, 12

Wednesday Wisdom

But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.

Psalm 60:4-5

Thursday Truth

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I will beckon to the nations, I will lift up my banner to the peoples;”

Isaiah 49:22a

Friday Fact

May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

Psalm 20:5-8

Saturday Song