Day 9 Theme: Names of God
Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah nissi - Exodus 17:15
Jehovah nissi is Hebrew for "the Lord my banner." Moses publicly claimed the Lord as his banner. There are at least three things that we should consider about this banner.
First, a banner (or flag) is a sign of unified purpose; it is a rallying point, a standard to which all people of like mind and cause are drawn. As the psalmist writes, "We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners" (20:5). All those who trust in God and rejoice in His salvation have a common interest, a bond that links them inseparably together.
Second, a banner is a sign of courageous defiance. It says, "We are here, and we are here to fight." Even when this world is given over to wickedness, God will not be left without a witness; His banner will not fall. Isaiah proclaimed, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him" (59:19).
Finally, a banner can be a sign of glorious triumph. The flag is planted at the top of the hill; the victorious conqueror flies his colors. This was the occasion of Moses' declaring the Lord as his banner; and notice that he claims the triumph is God's alone. Joshua and Israel fought hard against Amalek, but God was the one who gave the victory.
May we today fight hard for the victory, but may the banner over our life be the Lord; it is through His strength and in His cause that we battle successfully.
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