“And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner,” Exodus 17:15

“The Lord Is My Banner”  YHWH Nissi 

One translation of Nissi is said to mean “refuge”.  The other says “to hoist; lift up.”  

Through the lens of the Holy Spirit, I believe the latter… I believe this passage is to demonstrate our need for each other.

For the past two weeks, that still, small voice has been whispering to me, “I am your banner.”  This is what brought me to this scripture.  I’ve been searching and seeking out the meaning as I meditate on this passage of scripture.

I did what I often do and turned to Merriam Webster for the definition of the word.

Banner means a flag of honor or distinction.  Headline.  It is an announcement of prominent support.  

He is right, one hundred percent.  He IS my prominent support, my strength, my wisdom, and my guide.  I feel Him so near during this season. 

In verse eleven, it says when Moses lifted his hands, Israel prevailed, but when he lowered his hands, Amalek prevailed.  Isn’t this exactly what happens to us? 

When hands are raised in worship, God meets us right there with renewed strength and we find victory.  But, when we let our sight turn toward our problem, this is the moment the enemy starts to prevail.   

“But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”  Exodus 17:12

Clearly, Moses would have not been able to continue without the support of Aaron and Hur.  

Because of their assistance, his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.  

What a beautiful portrait of love. 

Humanity at its finest, perfect example.

So, when…

We have prayed. 

We have poured our heart out before God.

Our hands are heavy and still, we feel the weight of the world…

We ought to reach out to others, ask for help, seek counsel.  

Find a brother or sister to hold your hands steady.  

This victory was a remarkable win for the Israelites.

So significant that God said to write this down to remember.  

“The Lord Is My Banner”

A reminder to lift each other up. 

A reminder we need each other to win. 

A reminder that it’s okay to ask for help, to request prayer.  

Strength is found in numbers.  

Ecclesiastes 4:12:

“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand and a threefold cord is not easily broken.”