I AM your Banner

This curious statement comes in Exodus 17:15. “And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner,” Moses and the children of Israel were still wandering in the desert when this event occurred. They were camped at Rephidim and were attacked by the Amalekites who lived in the northern part of the Sinai peninsula. Moses ordered Joshua to take fighting men and go out and confront them in battle. Moses along with Aaron and Hur would view the battle from the top of a hill. Moses told Joshua he would stand on the hill with the staff of God in his hands, which was the staff that God had used through Moses to perform many miracles. The battle began and as long as Moses’ hands with the staff were uplifted they were winning but if his hand and staff dropped they began losing. So Aaron and Hur sat Moses on a rock and held up his hand until the battle was won. When the victory was complete, Moses built and altar to the Lord and called it “The Lord is my Banner.” “saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! 16a

What is a banner? By definition a banner is: a piece of cloth bearing a design, motto or slogan sometimes attached to a staff and used as a battle standard, a flag (like the Star-Spangled Banner) or a headline in a newspaper. The meaning that seems to fit this event would really be all 3- the battle standard or flag declaring who God is and the announcement that God is the Banner for the those who believe. Moses wanted all to remember that God was the reason they won the battle with the Amalekites, and they were God’s people waving His Banner over their lives. What about you? Do you wave God’s banner over your life? Are your ‘battles’ in life solved with the Lord’s power and direction? A couple of promises come to mind where God promises to be with us in and through things for our good and His glory. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6, “For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 and “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7. Where do you need God to be your Banner today? Look to Him for courage, power and love to overcome the obstacles you face today. Claim His promises and fly His Banner in victory.