Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord My Banner

Ancient armies carried standards and banners that served as marks of identification. Israel carried their banners on their march through the desert. When we pray to Jehovah-Nissi, we are praying to the God who is powerful enough to overcome any foe. Read Ezekiel 17:8-16. Take note especially of verse 15: But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

Unlike fabric flags, ancient banners were usually made out of wood or metal shaped into various figures or emblems that could be fastened to a bare staff or long pole. Most banners were planted on a high hill to serve as a rallying point for the troops before, during, and after the battle. When Moses held up the staff of God during the battle with the Amalekites he was appealing to God's power. He thus created a memorial of God's protection and power during the Israelites' first battle after leaving Egypt.

We realize we are in a spiritual battle daily. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17).

We may not want warfare, but it is there nonetheless. But the victory has been won. Look up to the standard of the cross. We cannot win the battle in the flesh. The answer is not to try harder. We cannot put our will against our flesh - We must, however, submit our will to the Holy Sprit.

This morning obey Romans 6:11 and Romans 6:13: Consider by faith, that you are dead to sin because of the victory Christ won on the cross. Also, present your bodily members as weapons of righteousness to advance God's kingdom.

His banner of victory is over you. Under His banner victory is always assured. Apart from it defeat is a certainty.

Thank Him for raising His standard over you. With all the spiritual battles you may face today move forward with confidence in His protection, to fight with His power and to prevail in His strength. Trust Jehovah-Nissi for total complete victory.

Jn.3:14-15 - And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Psalm 60:4 - Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.

Song of Solomon 2:4 - He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Jehovah-Shammah: The Lord is There

Strictly speaking this is a name for a city rather than a title of God. It is so closely associated with God's presence and power that it has been equated with a name of God. We were created to both enjoy and to manifest God' presence.

Ezekiel 48:35 -It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.

As God's people continued to sin, He delivers them and dwells with them first in the form of a pillar of cloud and fire, then in the movable tabernacle in the wilderness, and later in the Jerusalem Temple. Tragically and finally, Ezekiel witnessed the glory of God departing from the temple because of their continued unfaithfulness. God is no longer there. Despite God's absence, the book of Ezekiel ends on a note of tremendous hope, predicting a time of restoration - found in Ez.48:35!

Now let's understand how God's presence affects us. Read Isaiah 43:2 -

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Praise God that He is always with us, even in the midst of trouble.

Psalm 139:12 assures us that even in the darkness Jehovah-Shammah is there.

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

In the New Testament, Jesus is called Immanuel, "God with us." In Jesus Christ, God fulfills His ultimate promise to dwell with His people, by indwelling His living temple of God and His presence will never depart. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Cor.3:16)

Here are some verses that help us understand that God's omnipresence is one of the most comforting of all God's attributes!

Psalm 16:11 ~ Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 31:20 ~ Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

Psalm 139:7-12 ~ Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.

El Olam: The Everlasting, Eternal God

This is the Hebrew name for the God who has no beginning and no end.

His plans stand firm forever, plans to give you a hope and a future.

The first mention of this name is found in Genesis 21:32-33

Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

The term Olam means eternal, everlasting, forever. When we understand the name of El Olam, we learn about the nature of God's promises. Let's focus on His promise about His love, His mercy, and eternal life.

As we think of eternal and everlasting, we understand that God has no beginning and no end. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega.

When the enemy lies to you and tells you no one loves you, find the truth in God's Word:

Jer.31:3b “...Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love;

therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn the..”

His love is forever and nothing can stop it.

Where do you turn for mercy? Mercy that is not based on circumstances. In Ezra 3:11, “...for His mercy endureth forever...” and Ps.136:1, “Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever.”

God has given us an immortal soul. If we have received Jesus Christ as our Savior, we will inherit everlasting life:

John 3:16 “..that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 10:28a “..And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish..”

Rom.6:23b “..but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Here are other scriptures to consider wile thinking of your Everlasting God:

• Isaiah 9:6 ~ acknowledges Him as the everlasting Father

• Isaiah 26:4 ~ in Him is everlasting strength

• Isaiah 35:10 ~ there is everlasting joy in Him

• Isaiah 54:8 ~ in Him is everlasting kindness
  
  

• Duet.33:27 ~ underneath us are the everlasting arms.
  

Thank the Lord, El Olam, for His love, mercy, and faithfulness that endures forever. Ask Him for strength that comes from knowing you are going to live with Him forever.

Jehovah Sabaoth: The Lord of Hosts

When there seemed to be no other recourse for deliverance, the children of Israel came to know God as Jehovah-Sabaoth. David certainly understood this as he faced Goliath.

1 Samuel 17:45-46: Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

David cried out to the God who rules over every other power in the material and spiritual universe. A God so magnificent that all creation serves His purposes.

This is God's name for man's extremity. It is for those who find their resources inadequate in the midst of a struggle. David understood His truth. This is the name for those who may be in a struggle, but they have not given up - they will continue to fight.David called upon the Lord of Hosts as he faced this huge, seemingly impossible challenge. We will face different challenges at various times of our lives. We need to ask our Lord of Hosts to take away our fear arm us with faith and confidence. We need to ask Him to use us to advance His kingdom in the midst of any struggles that might lie ahead. Remember that the battle always belongs to Jehovah-Sabaoth.

Read the story of Elisha and his servant found in 2 Kings 6:15-17. Elisha's servant panicked in the face of the enemy surrounding the city. Elisha said "not to worry for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." Elisha asked God to open his servant's eyes and allow him to see the vast army of the heavenly host - with horses and chariots of fire - surrounding the enemy. Jehovah-Sabaoth was at the head.

Now stop and remember this: No matter who is against us, God is for us. Next time you feel like panicking, besieged by an army of troubles, cry out to the Lord of Hosts for His help. Ask Him to open your eyes by faith to see the way He is already working on your behalf. Always remember the words of Elisha: "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

Be encouraged by these verses:

Psalm 46:6-7 - The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Psalm 84:12 - O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Zechariah 1:3 - Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.

Psalm 46:10-11 - Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.