Jehovah Nissi: The LORD Is My Banner (Part 4)

While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”

…After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”). He said, “They have raised their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.” – Exodus 17:8-9, 14-16 (NLT)

What does it mean for us today for God to be our banner?

I have been in some church meetings where children and adults wave banners and flags during worship time. I must admit I don’t fully understand the spiritual significance of this if any. I have always associated banner and flag waving in church with dancing. Considering the above scripture, perhaps there’s a deeper spiritual meaning of banner waving during church worship.

God is our banner because we live to celebrate and honour His faithfulness towards us. We remember all His deeds, His gracious word to us in scripture and the identity we have in Him as redeemed of the LORD.

Jehovah Nissi – The LORD is my banner of:

Love – “…Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you” Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV); “He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love.” Song of Solomon 2:4 (NASB)

Help – “Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.” Isaiah 50:7 (NLT)

Truth – “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever” Psalms 119:160 (NKJV); “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 17:17 (NKJV)

Peace – “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7 (ESV); “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You” Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV); “Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.” Psalms 119:165 (NKJV)

Salvation – “Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you’” Isaiah 35:4 (NKJV); “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NASB)

Victory – “For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (NLT)

Righteousness – “And this will be his name: ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety” Jeremiah 23:6 (NLT). The coming of our glorious Saviour and King, who will establish His righteous rule on earth.

Jehovah Nissi, The LORD Is My Banner, in Him we trust and have our significance; “…in Him we live and move and have our being…” Acts 17:28 (NKJV)

Stay blessed,

LaraLex