Wednesdays Words

JEHOVA-NISSI

Exodus 17:15 “Moses built an altar there and called it "The LORD Is My Banner.” (NLT)

Jehovah-nissi-- This name means "The-LORD-Is-My-Banner," in honor of God's defeat of the Amalekites. (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

BANNER = A flag, ensign, streamer, or emblem attached to the end of a standard. Banners served as rallying points for military, national, or religious purposes. (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

One of the first issues a person must deal with in their life is whom they will serve. We all must serve someone; usually many masters in life. Maybe they are our supervisors, our parents, our spouse or maybe it is something like our work, our yard or our golf clubs. We all submit to another’s rule.

Without getting to far into idolatry and sin we must understand that in each of our lives there is one major master. Our center; that which guides us in all our other decisions. We must also understand that there can be only ONE! Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (NLT)

Almek represents the forces of sin that are constantly against us and God. We are in a battle, a Spiritual battle and the battlefield is in our heart, our church and our community. God gave us all the equipment we need to fight this fight under His Banner. He gave us the Battle gear (Ephesians 6:10 – 18), He gave us the Commission (Acts 1:8) and He promised us that if we will get up off our pews and get busy He will do the fighting through and FOR us (1 Thessalonians 5:24). All that is required now is the same thing that was required of Moses: FAITH

We must choose who we will serve; who or what we will place our faith and trust in. Who will we follow, who will we hold up as our moral and spiritual center? Choose wisely, for this is one choice that has everlasting consequences.

On the battlefield of Rephidim the nation of Israel chose to fight under the banner of God. Moses became a “living banner” that symbolized the presence of God and His willingness to help His Children as they fought His battle. They believed in their God and He won the battle for them.

Moses named the place “Jehova-Nissi” or “The Lord Is My Banner”. This simply meant that they had placed their faith in Him and He had proved victorious.

Are you fighting under the Lord’s Banner today? Or under the world’s banner or maybe your own?

Jesus Christ was lifted up on the Cross of Calvary as a Mighty Banner of God and everyone who believes in Him has the right to be called His Children, serve Him under His banner and gain the blessings of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

We must make God our Banner and walk daily with God. Living a life of Spiritual Victory through Faith, Love and Obedience.

Will you choose today to live under the Banner of the Great I AM? Only He can bring you true and lasting victory and eternal life. God loves you, will you follow Him?

Joshua said “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”