Exodus 17:15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi.

As long as Moses held up his hands, the children of Israel prevailed against the Amalekites in battle. Aaron and Hur stood beside Moses holding his hands in the air when he was weary. God granted them victory over their enemy. In commemoration, Moses built an altar and called it Jehovah-Nissi which means “The Lord my banner.”

Soldiers held up banners to fight under for many reasons. The banner was used to identify the people, to give direction in battle, to rally the troops and to signal victory. The children of Israel were not fighting as individuals but as a unified body under the direction of the Lord God. Jehovah was their banner. It was in His name that the Israelites conquered.

Sometimes the smoke and clamor of battle clouds peoples eyes and blurs their vision and perspective. This is true in the spiritual battles that we face in life. If we look around us too much, we can be disheartened and discouraged by things we see. We MUST look for and rally around the banner. Christ is our ensign (Isaiah 11:10) and it is for His cause that we work, labor, and sacrifice. Our identity is founded in Jehovah-Nissi and it is in Him that we will find purpose, renewal, and victory.

-mws