“And Moses built an altar and named it ‘The LORD is my Banner.’” Exodus 17:15
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
THIS IS THE COMPLETE POST FROM TODAY — SORRY THERE’S A GLITCH WITH THE HOSTING SITE
Back during the early Covid years, I would dread going out to the grocery store. It wasn’t that I was afraid of getting sick. It was that I was afraid of punching someone in the throat. That may shock some of you that don’t know me well but for others of you, you know I have struggled with my anger and pride. I would become infuriated with silly rules like one way arrows in grocery aisles and the made up 6’ (or 3’ or 10’) rules. People wearing masks alone inside their cars. And on and on. I was letting others’ fears and absurd ideas turn my mind and emotions into chaos.
One of my favorite teaching moments from Joyce Meyer is when she once admitted, “I’m a really good Christian. Until I walk out the front door.” Yep, that was me on my way to the grocery store.
Then I remembered my promised deliverer — my Jehovah-nissi.
Christian author Barnabas Piper clarifies this name in this way:
When Israel faced the Amalekites in battle at Rephidim it wasn’t with overwhelming force, an experienced army, or the best commanders. It was as a transient tribe of herdsmen escaping slavery in Egypt and traveling uncertainly to a promised land they hadn’t seen in over four hundred years. They were trespassers traveling through the lands of fierce fighting peoples. They traveled with women, children, herds, and all their possessions. The battle was for survival, for hope, for a future.
But they traveled with something else too, something else that no other nation on earth had – a pillar of fire, a cloud of smoke, the very presence of God. Israel did not fight its battles alone. No matter how inexperienced or over-matched they were they were never the underdogs. No matter how desperate they felt they were never at a loss. The great general, the perfect protector, the LORD was with them. The very name used in Scripture is Jehovah Nissi – “the Lord is my banner.”
And that, my friends, is exactly the God I needed before I left my house. It’s the God I so frequently turn to now when faced with “trigger” situations. In fact, it was Jehovah-nissi who went before me when dealing with my dad’s hospital staff, rehab unit LVNs, unhelpful receptionists, and doctors who forget their patients are people too.
My deliverer God found me parking places when needed, brought me peace during untenable situations, gave me calm, kind and yet insistent words rather than anger and frustration. He gave my dad and I victory so many times. And that gave me opportunities to share the Word of God with my atheist dad. You see my dad once said to me years ago, “You’re just like your mom.” (Not a compliment) That hit me hard, especially since he was never around me. He assumed I would be unreasonable and angry at the drop of a hat. So not only did he get to see me in a new light, he also heard me testify to the work Jesus and Holy Spirit has done in my life over the years.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10
God has been delivering His people from all manner of battles, here on earth and in the heavens and in our physical lives and our internal struggles, for thousands of years. Most importantly He has delivered us from the eternal punishment of our sins through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.
So today, before your feet hit the floor or you head out the door, call upon the Great Deliverer. He will go before you in battle, planting His flag upon your life in victory.
He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:3-4
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