Have you ever felt like your shortcomings and failings are stacked up against you? Have you ever felt the leading of the Lord to step out for Him and a list of your inadequacies hold you back? The Bible is full of stories of individuals who faced such things and came out victorious. Have you ever wondered why? I have and the answer is simple, because God can. God gives us these examples of imperfect, flawed people so we can realize if God can flow through them, He can flow through us. It’s not so much about us but Him. In Exodus chapter 17 God chose to use the newly freed from slavery children of Israel to demonstrate to them Himself.
In a matter of weeks the children of Israel had experience one miracle after another. Deliverance from Egypt, crossing the Red Sea, the bitter water made sweet at Marah, manna from heaven and water from the rock at Rephidim when the Amalekites gather against them. This would be their first battle. The Israelites were untrained in warfare and they were outnumbered. Moses appoints inexperienced Joshua to lead the army against the Amalekites. Moses stood up on the mount and raised the rod in his hand for all to see. As long as his arms were raised Israel prevailed. When Moses’ arms got tired, Hur and Aaron stood beside Moses and lifted his arm for him. After a mighty victory over the Amalekites, Exodus 17:15 says “ And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, Jehovah Nissi, The Lord Is My Banner.” Why Nissi? Why Banner?
When I think of banner, I associate it with a birthday banner, material stretched out declaring something. But a banner in those days wasn’t like what we may think of one today. It was like a standard, a pole, a rallying point. This banner was more, it was the rod God used to perform miracles, wonders on behalf of the Israelites. Deliverance from Egypt, parting the Red Sea, water from the rock. When Moses raised this rod for all of Israel to see, they could remember all God had done for them. It didn’t matter if all of Israel look to it, the instrument God used was lifted up, and God moved on their behalf. His will was accomplished.
In this way it was a foreshadowing of Christ. John 12:32 says, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” And Isaiah 11:10a says, “On that day the root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples.”
Today we can look to Christ, our Banner and know God is no respecter of persons. His Word does not return void but will accomplish that which He purposes and will succeed in the thing for which He sent it. “…for I am watching over My word to accomplish it, (Jeremiah 1:12).”
So the next time you’re experiencing the nudging of Lord to step out. Know that what is required of you is obedience not your resume. Look to Him, and know His banner is raised for you and He will prevail.
- Exodus 17
- Isaiah 55:11
- Romans 2:11
I would love to hear from you. You can comment below or email at [email protected]
Rev. Denise Much
