Names of God Series: "Victory through Jehovah Nissi"

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy of: Pawel Czerwinski

"And Moses built an altar and named it, “The Lord Is My Banner.” ~Exodus 17:15

I find it to be no coincidence whatsoever that this week we turn next in our names of God series to God's name, Jehovah Nissi (which means literally "The Lord Our Banner", showing that our  God is our victory and protection in battle). 

The reason this timing is not lost on me is because I returned home just this past Sunday from an annual fall girls trip with three of my dearest friends, women whom I have gone to battle alongside against the forces of evil on more than one occasion. Together, we recently went through Priscilla Shirer's excellent Bible study on the armor of God because it is nothing new for us to join together in spiritual warfare against the enemy. We even did so on this very trip. And here we are, a short two days later, coming to this name of God, Jehovah Nissi.

For some background context, let's take a look at the events surrounding Moses assigning this name to God in Exodus 17:15. In Exodus 17:8-16 we read,

 "At Rephidim, Amalek came and fought against Israel. 9 Moses said to Joshua, 'Select some men for us and go fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with God’s staff in my hand.'

10 Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12 When Moses’s hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword.

14 The Lord then said to Moses, 'Write this down on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua: I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek under heaven.'

15 And Moses built an altar and named it, “The Lord Is My Banner.” 16 He said, 'Indeed, my hand is lifted up toward the Lord’s throne. The Lord will be at war with Amalek from generation to generation.'”

It is in the context of an all-out war and subsequent victory that Moses assigns this name, "The Lord is my Banner", Jehovah Nissi, to God. And while you and I are not likely to see physical war and combat anytime soon, the fact of the matter is that spiritual warfare is the daily experience of every believer, the result of following God as His kingdom wages war against the kingdom of the enemy (and vice versa!).

Paul makes this clear in Ephesians 6:10-18 when he writes,

"Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armorof God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints."

Paul makes it clear that, whether or not we realize it, we are indeed in an all-out war against the enemy and his minions and must be armored up and prepared for this daily battle being fiercely waged against us. And while the thought of spiritual warfare with such a direct and dark enemy can seem daunting or feel scary, Paul also makes clear the encouraging fact that we have been gifted with God's very own armor itself to enable us to come out on the other side of war with the enemy victorious. 

This is what this name of God - Jehovah Nissi - is also teaching us. Our Lord is our Banner; He is the One who will undoubtedly lead us and guide us to victory every time. Though war can feel scary, we are guaranteed victory when we walk with the Lord. We need not be afraid! We have the victory!

Reflection Questions:

1) In what area of your life are you currently experiencing spiritual warfare?

2) Do you know how to recognize spiritual warfare for what it is when it shows up in your life?

3) The Lord has guaranteed us the victory, but we do have to put on our armor on a daily basis. Is there a certain aspect or aspects of the armor that you have not been diligent lately to put on? How can you make a change in that area?