Key scripture- “Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation” (Exodus 17:15-16)

Do you realize that you do not have to fight your battles in your own strength, that God, Yahweh Nissi, will fight them for you?

Ancient armies carried standards or banners that served as marks of identification and as symbols that embodied the ideals of a people. A banner, like a flag, was something that could be seen from afar, serving as a rallying point for troops before a battle. Though banners were first used in Egypt, Babylonia, Assyria, and Persia, the Israelites carried them on their march through the desert. When you pray to Yahweh Nissi, which means, The Lord is our Banner, you are praying to the God who is powerful enough to overcome any foe.

When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they were free from the bondage that they suffered in Egypt. God dealt a death blow to their Egyptian overlords when Moses raised his staff over the Red sea, making a divine pathway for the Israelites through the sea. But as the Israelites adjusted to their new freedoms, they discovered numerous internal and external enemies. Their first battle after leaving Egypt was with the Amalekites. The Amalekite’s strategy of attacking the weakest and trying to stop God’s plan for His people made them perpetual enemies of God.

In Exodus Chapter 17, the Israelites were going to battle against the Amalekites “So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand” (Exodus 17:9). While Moses was on the top of the hill he held up the staff of God as Joshua fought against the Amalekites. When he did this he was holding up a visible sign of God’s power, like a banner, for all the people to see while they were fighting. However, whenever his hands grew tired and he lowered the staff, the Amalekites began winning. (Exodus 17:11). That’s when Aaron and Hur began supporting his hands, because as long as the staff was held high the Israelites would not waver in their battle, and Joshua was able to overwhelm Amalek and his people with the sword. (Exodus 17:12-13).

But what relevance does this ancient story have for us in our everyday lives? If you picture the Amalekites as a symbol of all the forces that oppose God, you begin to realize the spiritual battles that still face us. Just as the Israelites were freed from their bondage to Egypt, we are freed from bondage to sin and Satan the moment we surrender ourselves to Christ. But we still face countless battles on our way to the promised land of Heaven. So when the Lord says to you, “I am your Banner”, think about the battles that you’re facing in your life, and instead of looking for help from the people around you, you need to look up and remember, God is your banner. While you are in the trenches, going toe to toe in the battle, you can turn and look up and be reminded that God Himself is your banner. You don’t have some sign over you, you have the Lord Himself, Who is a banner over you. Nothing is better than that.

No matter what your uncertainties are, no matter what you are facing, no matter what you are perplexed about with regard to the future, you need to remember, the Lord is your Banner, He is over you. All that you need, all that you long for, all that you seek to see in your life, God is the one Who is over your life and He is ensuring you that He will provide those things in your life for His glory. They can be a reality. God is your victory, you will not be destroyed.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I come before You in prayer and proclaim, You are Yahweh Nisi, You are my Banner. It is so comforting to know that You are over me, watching out for me, that You will supply what I need no matter where I am, and You are there protecting me, You are my victory. There is no greater power in heaven or on earth. Let everything be done for Your glory. Today as I face spiritual battles of many kinds, I will hold high the banner of God’s power, knowing that Yahweh Nissi gives me victory no matter how fierce the enemy, and no matter how sweet the temptation is. I will not try to fight the battle in my own strength. I am already more than a conqueror through Christ who strengthens me. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.