However, this next name of God does not allow us to scream from the cheap seats... we are to join in the fight. You may be asking, "how in the world is this good news?" The Good News is that we don't have to fight alone!
Jehovah-nissi means The Lord My Banner.
And we first see the use of this name for God in Exodus 17, when Moses and the children of Israel came upon the Amelekites. If you haven't taken the time to read - go and read this incredible story. It's found in Exodus 17:8-16.
Here's a quick summary:
The children of Israel are making their way to the Promised Land and the Amelekites showed up a Rephidim to fight them. Moses told Joshua to go and fight them and he went to the mountain with his staff - his rod. When Moses held his staff up to God, the Israelites prevailed, when he got tired and lowered his staff, the Amelekites prevailed! So Aaron & Hur helped to hold up or support Moses's hands and as a result Joshua overwhelmed the Amalekites!
Moses built an altar and named it The Lord is My Banner.
There is so much we can learn from this passage and this name of God. The main thing to take home from this chapter is that we can attain victory over our enemy!
Who or what are you battling today? Who or what is your enemy?
Before I get too far into the lessons from this chapter I want you to have a proper visual of the banner.
Do you need to see those lines today? Have you lost where the rally point is with your God?
Most of the times, our greatest enemy is our flesh. Kay, in this chapter, compares Amelek to our flesh. Ladies... we must first recognize that we are in a battle. We are battling the ways of our flesh against the ways of our Lord. And when we give in to flesh we will only find sorrow.
We learned from this chapter that originally Saul was commanded by God to destroy the Amelekites. He did not completely obey this command and later he was killed by them. Oh! If only he had fully obeyed! Instead he made excuses and tried to prove that he did something better than what God asked of him.
Don't we do that too! So often we try to convince God that our way is better - only to have to suffer later as a result of our pride and selfishness.
Remember as long as Moses held up his staff - the Israelites prevailed - when he dropped it - the enemy got a stronghold. We must look to God for our victory - we must look for His glistening banner!
I want to ask you today...
What is your Amelek? And do you need to put it to death?
Deuteronomy 20:3-4 says,
"Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do no be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you."
We are in a battle - so suit up!
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
And then watch the victory come to pass...
Romans 8:37
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
Let me tell you a little secret - a spoiler alert that I know you won't mind hearing...
Yes, we're in a battle
but
WE WIN!!!!
So today, call out to your Jehovah-nissi - find his staff glistening in the sun and get behind Him. Let Him lead you to victory!!!
