Are you battle ready?

Plenty of things going on in our world these days, can leave us feeling shaken; but as Believers, we will not be shaken! Why? Because our God is Jehovah Nissi - “the LORD is our Banner!” We stand on solid ground under His banner!

We first see this name used for God in Exodus 17. The Israelites were nearing the end of their 40 year journey to the promised land when they were attacked by the Amalekites. Moses came up with an unorthodox battle plan. He called on Joshua to assemble a fighting force and he would stand on a hill holding his staff high in the air. Moses’ staff represented God’s presence and His power. It had already been used numerous times to initiate miracles of God. The Israelites were not really battle ready, and to the Amalekites, they would not be very intimidating. They were inexperienced, unprepared and severe underdogs.

Do you ever feel like you aren’t battle ready? These days we are all in a battle, navigating the challenges of living through a pandemic. People are fighting depression, isolation, fear, confusion, uncertainty and more. Sometimes, you may feel like you aren’t battle ready… underprepared, inexperienced and an underdog. But under God’s banner, you are never an underdog! God is ready to show His power and might in your life!

The Israelites may have looked like and felt like underdogs, but they weren’t! They stood under the banner of God! When the battle began, as long as Moses kept His hands, and his staff, which represented the banner of God, high in the air, the Israelites were winning; but when his hands and the banner lowered, they started losing. (Exodus 17:10-11). The Israelites needed to see that banner and be reminded that God was with them to win!

You need to know something… God is with you! You are never alone in life’s battles; God is fighting with you and for you! You can be confident and unshaken under His banner!

When Moses grew weary, his friends Aaron and Hur, came alongside him to help hold his arms up! (Exodus 17:12-13). As a result, Joshua and the Israelites won the battle! Are there people in your life right now who you can help support and encourage, maybe hold their arms up? (Galatians 6:9) Maybe you are weary and need folks to come alongside you to help hold your arms up these days. That is what Believers do for one another! When you are weary, count on God to provide others to come alongside you to help you!

When the battle was over, Moses wanted to make sure the Israelites remembered who our God is. 15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. Exodus 17:14-15

To learn far more about who God is, click here to listen to Revealed - The Names of God - Part 8 - Jehovah Nissi.