“And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner.” Exodus 17:15

The name Jehovah Nissi – the Lord my banner - occurs just once in the Bible, immediately following the Israelites’ battle with the Amalekites. It’s during this battle that Moses holds up his hands and as long as he keeps them up, the Israelites are okay. But Moses can’t go the distance alone.

“Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” (Exodus 17:11-12, ESV)

I’ve always loved that picture – even the great Moses was not enough on his own but God didn’t abandon him. He brought people alongside to lend him the strength he needed. (And isn’t it good to know that sometimes even great leaders need to sit down?)

A banner is the flag you march under. When Moses calls God the Lord my Banner he’s saying that this is Lord who gives me my identity. It’s like calling him “God my inheritance” or “the God who makes me family”. It’s a beautiful picture of belonging. How appropriate that this name of God comes just after God shows Moses that he is not alone.

Struggling with your purpose? Read: Having a Life of Significance

If you feel like you’re fighting alone today, take refuge with the Lord your banner. He has placed you into His family. He will surround you with the people you need to do the things He’s asked of you. If you worry about who you used to be, you can find your true identity under God’s banner. You are His. You are who He says you are.

The banner of God is a rallying point for all those who love Him, so come on over and stand with your family.

God in Heaven,

Thank you for being my banner today. You are the cause I fight for. It’s your name that I cry out as I go out into the world. Make me a good ambassador of your banner today I pray. Amen

Take Action

Refuse to believe the lie that you are fighting this fight alone. Write out the specific things that you’re worried about today and take them to God. You are under His banner. We’re in this fight together. If you’d like to have someone from our team pray with you, send us your request.



Tags: family