Posted on April 3, 2012 - by Shari Barr
Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord is Our Banner
“Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.” Exodus 17:15 (NIV)
In this scripture Moses acknowledged that the Lord was Israel’s banner when they defeated the Amalekites. During battle each nation flew their own flag high on a pole at their own front line. This provided a focal point as well as a feeling of hope for the soldiers. The Old Testament name “Jehovah-Nissi” is intended to remind us that God is our banner of encouragement and hope.
When things get tough I crave hope. I pray like I’ve never prayed before. No matter how desperate the situation, I strive to keep that spark of hope alive because sometimes that’s all I have. Hope is the one thing that gets me through life’s highest hurdles. Without it I feel lost and alone. The hope that God gives me during difficult times gives me strength and power to carry on. Even when my prayers aren’t answered the way I wished, the peace I feel gives me hope for better things to come.
Everyone needs hope and encouragement, whether it’s for life changing trauma such as sickness, death, or divorce—or simply everyday life that pushes us to the limit. Turning to God for every struggle, inevitably leads to the One who is cheering us on, despite the uncertainty we may feel. He is waving His banner, encouraging us to focus on Him as we fight the battle He has placed before us. He is our eternal cheerleader in a race He doesn’t want us to lose.
Even when life is rolling along nice and smooth, with only a bump here and there, God’s banner is still flying, urging us to look up and take notice and acknowledge that our blessings are from Him. Our hope for a prosperous tomorrow lies with God, and He will never leave us. He is waiting for us at the finish line.
I can’t imagine a life with no hope. Life without hope is a life without God.
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April 3, 2012
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Marianne said:
Reminds me of a song my dear departed aunt sang – Love is a flag flown from the castle of your heart, When the King is in residence there. Fly it high in the sky, let the whole world know, that the King is in residence there! Thank you for the post. It is precious, and an oft-needed reminder.
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April 3, 2012
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Brenda Anderson said:
Amen, Shari. It’s hope that keeps us moving forward in all stages of our life.
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April 3, 2012
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Lorna Seilstad said:
Marianne, I know that song! My niece sings it to her pre-school class.
Shari, your message is so true. We do need hope and we need to see it in God. I found it interesting that the banner goes before the army just as God goes before us into battle. He covers us with His love and we need only to lift our eyes to him to find purpose and hope.
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April 3, 2012
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Shari Barr said:
Marianne, I don’t think I know that song, but the lyrics are so true!
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April 3, 2012
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Shari Barr said:
Brenda and Lorna,
Hope is so important and the encouragement that comes with it can get us through anything if we remember to look to Him.
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April 3, 2012
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Dawn Ford said:
Sports teams have flags and symbols. And their fans follow relentlessly. We as Christians should have that kind of fervor over the banner over us. Great devo, Shari!
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April 3, 2012
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Shari Barr said:
That’s so true, Dawn. I guess I should act more like a sports fan.
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April 3, 2012
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Regina Merrick said:
“Hope springs eternal.” That’s what God gives us – that hope that is ETERNAL! Thanks, Shari!
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April 15, 2012
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Jean Fischer said:
Great post, Shari. Hope is what keeps us going. You’re right. Without it, we feel lost and alone.