May 12, 2021

“THE POWERFUL NAMES OF GOD”

“JEHOVAH NISSI-THE LORD MY BANNER”

EXODUS 17:1-15

Banners are often hung or waved to declare commitment, allegiance, and victory.

Faith In The Names of God:

Exodus 17:1 “Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the Wilderness of Sin, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink.”

Exodus 17:7 “So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

We have all wondered at some point, is God here or not? Where is God when I need Him the most?

Exodus 17:8 “Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.”

Exodus 17:9-11 “And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” 10So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.”

This battle wasn’t decided by those who were fighting. The winners and loser weren’t determined by their own skill or power.

As believers in Christ and followers of God, we have a responsibility to do all we can do in the challenges and trials we face. Yet unless God also supports and engages in the victory, our efforts won’t be enough.

2 Corinthians 6:1 “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”

Psalm 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 

There most always be a balance between what God does on the mountain and what you and I are responsible for in the valley.

In the valley, you fight the physical. On the mountain, you fight the spiritual- and only your connection to God can fight the spiritual and win.

Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Spiritual Battles Are Tiring:

Exodus 17:12 “But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

The problem for Moses and the Israelites was that Moses got weary. As his arms drifted down, Amalek prevailed. So Aaron and Hur came up with a plan.

Exodus 17:12-13 “But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

Aaron and Hur’s job was to support Moses hands. 

Joshua fought in the valley and Moses on the hill. 

Exodus 17:13 “So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

Never Settle for Halfway:

After the victory, God instructed Moses to write an account as a memorial.

1 Samuel 15:10-11 “Now the word of the Lord came to Samuel, saying, 11“I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the Lord all night.”

2 Samuel 1:8-10 “And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ So I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9He said to me again, ‘Please stand over me and kill me, for anguish has come upon me, but my life still remains in me.’ 10So I stood over him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord.”

After the victory of Joshua in the valley and Moses on the mountain, Moses built an altar and gave it the name we’ve learned about through these principles in this chapter-Jehovah Nissi, this means, “the Lord is my banner.”

Exodus 17:14-15 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” 15And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner.”

That standard is Jesus Christ. He is our banner.

Our Nissi today is Jesus Christ.

John 3:14-15 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Whoever looks to Jesus, our banner will live.

Look to Jehovah Nissi-Jesus Christ-His spiritual power will infuse your physical reality. Jesus is our staff.

Isaiah 11:1,10 “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.”

2 Corinthians 2:14 “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”

As Jesus leads you because He’s already defeated Satan by His work on the cross.

Colossians 2:15 “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”

He has made us more than conquerors regardless of what life brings our way.