Talking Banners

“Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, ‘For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD.’” Exodus 17:15.

Whenever the Olympics are scheduled to begin, the image of the opening ceremonies always comes to my mind. There is something special about watching these talented athletes walking confidently behind their own country’s flag or banner. The banner goes before them and marks the group of people to whom they belong.

Moses also walked in complete confidence behind his banner, the Lord. God brought victory in the battle against the Amalekites as long as Moses held up his arms in prayer (Ex. 17:8-15). When Moses became weary, Joshua and Aaron sat him on a stone and held up his arms until the battle was over. Moses knew to whom he belonged and accredited the victory – Jehovah Nissi (the LORD is my Banner).

We all march behind our own banner which represents our level of faith. Through one battle, our banner displays fears and unbelief in God’s deliverance. In another season, our banner may mark joy and peace. The banners we march behind through life will display where our confidence and attitudes lie. Does our banner mark a bitter person or a person who holds grudges? Are we cowering behind a banner of fear? Does our banner proclaim confidence in God’s complete victory in our lives despite the circumstances?

Satan will take every opportunity to lure us behind his banner which is marked with threats of failure, planting fear in the minds of God’s children. What fear is holding you captive behind Satan’s banner? God did not give us fear but gave us everything we need to be successful in all circumstances. 'For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline’ (2 Timothy 1:7). Like Moses we must seat ourselves upon the Stone and keep ourselves in a posture of prayer. 'As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood' (1 Peter 2:4).

We can march through life behind Satan’s banner of ‘WHAT IF?’ or march behind Jehovah Nissi who goes before us and fights our battles.