Jehovah Nissi

            “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that / will utterly b/of out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.’ And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The LORD is my banner, saying, ‘A hand upon the banner of the LORD! The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation’”(Ex 17:14-16).

After the Exodus, the Israelites began their long, difficult journey in the wilderness, heading for the land of milk and honey. Soon they came to Rephidim and met their first enemy, the Amalekites. Joshua led the young people to encounter the enemy while the elderly Moses stayed behind the scene to pray. God gave the Amalekites into the Israelites’ hands, Moses acclaimed that their victory did not come from their well-trained military skill or strength, but from the mighty power of God (Ps 66:3-4). To commemorate the guidance, strength, and final victory rendered by God, Moses built an altar and called it “Jehovah Nissi” which means “The LORD is my banner”, As the Bible states, “There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against the Lord. The horse is prepared for the day of battle but victory belongs to the Lord” (Prov 21:30-31, Cf. Ps 20:7). Later, the LORD commanded the Israelites to exterminate the Amalekites (1 Sam 15:1-3).

During the wilderness journey the Amalekites attacked the weak Israelites who lagged behind (Deut 25:1 7-1 8). Our Christian life can be compared to a pilgrimage through the wilderness for the heavenly home. The Amalekites represent our greatest enemy and obstacle on this journey: our carnal desires which are opposed to God (Jas 4:4-5). Vile desires fling at us from all sides. If we are not watchful, we may also fall prey to temptations and evil works of the flesh. As the battle against the Amalekites is perpetual, hence we must always advance our spirituality and subdue the flesh (1 Cor 9:27) thus upholding the banner of the Lord Jesus Christ.

CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

By upholding the banner of victory, we Christian soldiers are fighting for Christ Jesus and His Gospel. The apostle Paul encouraged young Timothy to fight for the Gospel of salvation (2 Tim 2:3, 1 Tim 6:12), which saves both the evangelist himself and the hearers (1 Tim 4:16). In this fight we must be aware that our enemy, Satan, is like a roaring lion (1 Pet 5:8) and he uses hit-and-run tactics to attack the weak and weary believers.

A Christian soldier must undergo proper training in preparation for war. He must put on the whole armour of God (Eph 6:14-1 7). He should be girdled with truth, the controlling force of the winning battle, and puts on the breastplate of righteousness, to ward off evil and also to do justice, and to love kindness and walk humbly with God (Mic 6:8). His feet are shod with the gospel of peace, bringing reconciliation between God and man, and between man and man (Mt 10:7-1 3, 2 Cor 5:18-20, Eph 2:17-1 8).

To preach the wonderful gospel one must take up the shield of faith and helmet of salvation, to foil Satan’s works. Jesus Christ teaches us that faith has the power to change the world (Mt 1 7:20, 21:21), because God responds to those who pray in faith. Along with faith, salvation is given as God’s grace (Eph 2:5) through the atoning death of Jesus (Eph 1:7). By these, we will overcome all evil (Rev 12:10-11) and dwell in the love of God.

In the full armour of God, the sword is identified as the living and active word of God, sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb 4:12, Rev 12:10-12). Indeed, one is spiritually nourished and advanced by the words of God whereas the Holy Spirit sanctifies and commissions one to do His work. Jesus Christ has manifested His words of life and has promised the Holy Spirit to those who pray to Him (Lk 11:5-1 3, Acts 2:39). Let all Christians hear the divine words and do the heavenly Father’s will, whilst pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

GUIDANCE

The psalmist extolls God: “Thou hast set up a banner for those who fear thee, to rally to it from the bow” (Ps 60:4). In the battlefield, the banner which signifies leadership and confidence, supports the fighting morale and gives the hope of triumph, The soldiers will still fight on valiantly as long as the banner remains upright. In our church ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ is the banner which sustains our faith. Sometimes we are weak, but the compassionate Lord will sympathize and keep us from temptations that we cannot endure (Heb 4:14-16, 1 Cor 10:13). Jesus Christ once warned that Satan would sift Peter like wheat, but He had already prayed for the revival of his faith (Lk 22:31-32). The Lord will do the same for us, provided we turn to Him for consolation and the renewal of our strength when we are in sorrow and weakness (2 Cor 12:9, Php 4:4-7, 13).

The Holy Spirit guides us to contend for the truth (Jude 3) and to maintain the original faith, power, and spiritual experience of the community of faith in the apostolic era, He also helps us to resolve arguments or speculations and removes proud obstacles to the knowledge of God (2 Cor 10:4-5). The Holy Spirit is our ever-present banner.

Christian soldiers must also be aware of the need to strive forward constantly in faith, love, and hope (Php 3:12-1 4). Having understood that the Lord is our banner, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, we have to fulfill our duty as His disciples: always love and serve God and man. If we can be faithful with our duty, the Lord has promised us reward in His Kingdom. Meanwhile we look forward to His second coming, for all things will then come to rest and become new in His Kingdom of heaven. The Lord as our Shepherd (Ps 23:4) will wipe away our tears and we will forever be with Him (Rev 21:1-5).