Jehovah Nissi

“Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means ‘the LORD is my banner’).” – Exodus 17:15 NLT

Thoughts for Today

In Exodus 17, we learn that while at Rephidim, the Israelites were attacked by the Amalekites. Moses instructed Joshua to select men for battle and then went to the top of the hill with the staff of God in his hand. As long as his hands were raised, the Israelites experienced victory, but when his hands were lowered, they suffered loss. Aaron and Hur helped Moses by holding his hands up when he got tired. After the Israelites had defeated the Amalekites, Moses built an altar and called it Jehovah-nissi, meaning The Lord is my banner. The Israelites had won the battle with the Lord as their banner.

And so we can win the battles we face in life if we will always remember that the Lord is our banner. Just as Moses did, we must persistently surrender all that we are and all that we have to the Lord and recognize our dependence on him.

When we want to represent a country, school, organization or cause, we usually adopt its flag/ mission/ standards as our banner representing our motivation, goals, standards, allegiance etc.

As Christians, God is our banner. When we are willing to stay focused on Him and recognize Him as our banner, he will bring victory in our lives.

Consider this

Is God truly the banner that represents every area of your life? Are you living for him first and foremost? Or is He sometimes replaced by your devotion to other people or things, relationships, work, hobbies etc.

Today, choose God as your banner. Surrender everything to Him. And He will win all your battles for you. Declare that He is Jehovah Nissi, The Lord your banner.

Prayer:

Dear Father, I thank you for today. Sometimes I choose not to walk under your banner. Instead, I put my faith in myself or other people or things instead of You. Sometimes I put my desires above Yours. Please forgive me. I declare that today and always I will strive to always be under your banner. I will place all that I have and all that I am before You. Thank you Lord because you have promised to win my battles if only I can surrender them to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.