DAY – 28
JEHOVAH NISSI
Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the LORD is my banner”). Ex 17:15
` In Hebrew, Jehovah Nissi means "The Lord is my banner." The Bible only mentions this name once. The Septuagint (the earliest Greek translation of the Old Testament) traced the word, nissi, back to a Hebrew root meaning "refuge," and translated it as "the Lord Is My Refuge." The Vulgate (an early Latin translation of the Old Testament) identified nissi with a Hebrew word that means "to lift," and translated Jehovah Nissi as "The Lord Is My Exaltation."
On their way to Canaan, the Israelites wandered through the desert. God was leading them across shores, mountains, and even plains through Moses' leadership. He quenched their thirst and fed them hunger. They pitched their tents in the land where God showed them and moved them to continue their journey as he guided them. God moved with them in the form of a pillar of cloud during the day, providing shade in the heat, and a pillar of fire during the night, providing light.
On a fine day in the land of Rephidim, they were resting when a group of Amalekites charged them from behind and slaughtered the people on the backside. They also stole the valuables of the Israelites. The Israelites were unable to withstand the Amalekites' sudden attack and lost their brothers to them. As a result, the entire Israelite population wept and lamented their losses. Moses, who was stunned by the Amalekite attack, summoned Joshua to fight alongside them. He also told Joshua that he would be up on the hill with the Lord's staff in his hand, raising it towards the sky, indicating that God would fight the Amalekites on their behalf. Moses had to rely solely on God to fight their battles because the Israelites had not been adequately trained in battle skills. They had spent 430 years in slavery in Egypt and were unaware of the battlefield, so when the Amalekites attacked, they were unable to defend themselves. As Moses had instructed, Joshua took a few men who were strong enough to fight and marched toward the group of Amalekites.
The war was unusual in that when Moses' hands were lifted high, Joshua and the Israelites prevailed, whereas when Moses' hands were lowered, the Amalekites claimed victory. When Hur and Aaron saw the struggle, they took a stone and placed it beneath Moses, forcing him to sit. They held his hands up, one on one side and one on the other. Until the sunset, Moses' heavy hands remained steady. In this manner, Joshua defeated the Amalekites and killed their king with his sword.
The Lord is a God who is mighty in battle. Every battle he has faced has resulted in victory. According to the Bible, "Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation." As a result, as long as we live, we must all face the battles on Earth. The people of God fought many kingdoms and their kings in the New Testament, but Paul confesses in the New Testament that we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with spiritual authorities, the ruler of the earth, and the power of darkness. These are the spiritual Amalekites we are up against.
Joshua was able to defeat Amalek simply because he possessed a powerful sword. According to the Bible, the sword of the Spirit (i.e., the word of God) can defeat the devil's schemes and provide us with victory.
Do not be concerned when you face a battle because God is already ahead of you, destroying your adversaries. Put on God's full armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) to withstand the enemy, and you will triumph.
May the Lord Jehovah Nissi be with you at all times and grant you victory.
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