Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord Our Banner!

| By Brother Bill In Letters from Bill |

And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord is my Banner.
Exodus 17:-15 Amp

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

However majestic the pageantry of an Olympic opening ceremony, the most thrilling part to me is the parade of athletes. As the athletes of each nation parade into the stadium, the proud citizens stand, applaud, and cheer for those who represent them. And each group is preceded by the flag of their country. Their banner goes before them as a rallying point for the nation they represent.

When the gold, bronze, and silver medal winners stand to receive their awards, the flag of the gold medal winner is displayed in the highest position, and the anthem of his or her country is the only one played.

In other ceremonies and events, as during the pledge of allegiance, the 4th of July, or Veterans’ Day we salute, celebrate, or see our flag displayed as a symbol of our freedom.

We also mark victory in war with banners. The army of a country conquers new territory and the victory is marked by the planting of their flag-usually in the most prominent location available. The flag testifies to who has won and who is now in control of that land and it serves as a monument.

The banner I write about today, however, contains elements of all these occasions but precedes them in history and is greater in importance.

After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness. Then, they met their enemy, Amelek.

From there, the story goes like this:

Then came Amalek [descendants of Esau] and fought with Israel at Rephidim.

And Moses said to Joshua, Choose us out men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.

So Joshua did as Moses said and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the hilltop. When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and when he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.

But Moses’ hands were heavy and grew weary. So [the other men] took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side and one on the other side; so his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua mowed down and disabled Amalek and his people with the sword.

And the Lord said to Moses, Write this for a memorial in the book and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens. And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord is my Banner. Exodus 17:8-15 Amp

Rather than have him plant a flag, God had Moses build an altar to mark this spot as a place of remembering. God also revealed his name as Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord is my Banner.

Look at the totality of the victory the Lord provided: Not only was the enemy defeated but his name was “utterly” blotted out.

But then, what’s this?

And he said, Because [theirs] is a hand against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Exodus 17:16 Amp

Just who is the guy, Amelek? How can he be utterly defeated and yet keep coming back? Is he some sort of evil Energizer rabbit?

While the literal Amelek was defeated, other “Amelek types” would rise up against Israel-and us-in the future. And who does Amelek symbolize? The devil, of course.

But we are to have no fear. Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord our Banner, is not only a flag we plant to mark a victory, He is also a banner we carry into future battles-battles for which we have the assurance of victory. Aaron and Hur – in the person of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit-are there to help and encourage us in battle.

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; John 16:33a Amp

Jesus says we’ll continue to have trials, distress, etc. But we’re to have perfect peace and confidence?

Yes, Jesus’ victory on the cross defeated the devil but he is still in the world.

Then we get the really good news:

…but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16:33b Amp

Understand what Jesus did when He overcame the world: He conquered it for us and deprived it of power to harm us.

How? How can we continue to have tribulation, trials, distress, and frustration if He has conquered these things for us?

The answer is not meant to minimize the tragedy and injustice that continues in the world nor in our individual lives. We live in a fallen world-in which the devil and his cohorts continue to do their work.

But we have been given tools. Among them are:

Ephesians 6:11-18 – the Armor of God

1 Corinthians 2:16 – the mind of Christ

James 1:5 – the wisdom of God

James 4:7 – the power to resist the devil and order him to flee

And we have Jehovah-Nissi—The Lord our Banner.

He knows all about you but He loves you anyway. Nothing can take that away. Your name is written on His hand and on His heart. And He goes before you today, proclaiming, “Here comes my child.”

I love this song from Watermark. Listen to it with joy at what your Banner thinks of you.

Love,
Brother Bill

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Carry You

God of all creation orders all the universe
Every detail of the corners of the earth now (He covers)
And nothing comes between His mighty hand

Nothing can surprise Him ’cause He knows all about you
Every detail of the corners of your heart now (He knows You)
And nothing you could do can take that from you

Let love carry you, let His heart cover you
Like a big, warm coat
So you can be warm whenever you’re cold now
He goes before you now with a big, bright banner across this town
Saying, “here comes my child…here comes my child”

You’ll never walk alone now
‘Cause He loves to surround you
Your name is written on His hands and
on His heart now (He loves You)
And nothing you could do can take that from you!

Keep truth in whatever you do and His favor will rest on you
Keep hold of every promise He has given
Keep giving all of your life and be a living sacrifice
‘Cause He’s given you everything you need in Jesus,
Everything you need…

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