The Names of God: Part 6

In a world filled with countless identities, causes, and allegiances, have you ever stopped to consider what banner you carry through life? What symbol or name is most visible in your daily walk? Can people see Christ as you move through each day?

These profound questions invite us to reflect on the invisible (and sometimes visible) banners we all carry. Some are inherited, others chosen, but many of us bear banners from our past – guilt, pain, fear, shame, or rejection. The beautiful truth is that Jesus doesn't ignore these banners. Instead, He invites us to bring them under His name, where true healing and transformation begin.

As followers of Christ, we face the daily challenge of living life to the fullest while lifting high a different type of banner: Jehovah Nissi – The Lord is my banner. This banner of God isn't a weapon, but a witness. It declares to the world who we belong to, identifying us not as a tribe of pride or power, but as a family of grace gathered around a table of mercy.

When we follow Jesus, He doesn't erase our stories. Rather, He calls us to surrender to a greater narrative, one that doesn't erase us but transforms us from the inside out.

Throughout Scripture, we encounter various names of God that paint a fuller picture of His character:

- Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Provides) – God provides not just resources, but victory, direction, and purpose.
- Jehovah Rapha (The Lord Heals) – He binds our wounds, both spiritual and physical.
- Jehovah Shalom (The Lord is Peace) – This isn't just the absence of conflict, but a soul-deep wholeness.
- The Lord of Heaven's Armies – A reminder that God is King over all creation.
- The Lamb of God – Our King is also the sacrificial lamb, and we wave a banner not made of cloth, but of the cross.

Today, let's explore deeper the name Jehovah Nissi – The Lord is my banner – and its relevance to our lives.

In Exodus 17, we find the Israelites, weary from their desert wanderings, suddenly attacked by the Amalekites. Moses climbs a hill, staff in hand, while Joshua leads the battle below. As long as Moses' hands remain raised, Israel prevails. When his arms tire, Aaron and Hur support him until sunset, securing victory for God's people.

After this triumph, Moses builds an altar and names it Yahweh Nissi – The Lord is my banner. This name isn't about military conquest, but a powerful picture of how God's presence sustains us in our moments of weakness, weariness, and vulnerability. It's a banner for those who feel alone as they fight against evil, reminding us that victory comes through God's strength, not our own.

In ancient times, a banner wasn't mere decoration. It was a highly visible symbol of identity, purpose, and allegiance – a reminder of one's true family. By naming the altar Yahweh Nissi, Moses wasn't declaring God as a weapon, but as the identifier of His people. It's under His banner that we find victory and leadership.

This brings us to a crucial question: What banners do we lift up in our own lives? Some fly proudly in our front yards or on our social media profiles. Others are more subtle, internal banners that shape our identity. Perhaps your banner is your career, status, or pride. Maybe it's fear, pain, or resentment. For some, it's a political ideology or social cause.

When people look at our lives, whose name is lifted high? What do they see as our primary identity?

It's easy in today's polarized society to let our passions become our banners. But as followers of Christ, we're called to a different standard. The cross is our banner – not a symbol of dominance, but of sacrifice. It signals to all people that they are loved, seen, and welcome in God's family.

This Christian banner shouldn't lead to more arguments, but to more prayer. It shouldn't be about pride, but humility. Not about nationalism, but about the kingdom mission. Not conquest, but communion – inviting people to experience the God of grace and love.

So how do we live with Jehovah Nissi as our banner?
1. Speak truth with grace
2. Lead with love, not fear
3. Serve even those we disagree with
4. Remember that the cross is our banner, the gospel our standard, and godly love our signal to the world

Living under God's banner doesn't mean we stand above everyone else. Instead, it calls us to kneel in love and be sacrificial in our approach to life. We're challenged to live so visibly for Jesus that lost and broken people see hope through our actions and attitudes.

This can create tension, especially as we navigate complex societal issues. How do we uphold laws and protect freedoms while also showing Christ-like compassion? The key is remembering that while we don't control everything in our government or society, we do control our banner. And the cross-shaped banner of Christ is one of sacrifice, not dominance.

When the Christian banner becomes something other than good news filled with grace, people tend to seek out worldly banners that promise acceptance and love. Our challenge is to ensure that the banner we carry in Christ's name truly reflects His heart for all people.

As we reflect on these truths, may we find ourselves re-centered on what truly matters. Let the words of Psalm 20:7 echo in our hearts: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

What banner are you carrying today? Is it time to surrender it to the One whose banner over us is love? Under Jehovah Nissi, we find our true identity, purpose, and the strength to face whatever battles lie ahead. May we lift high His banner of grace, inviting others to find shelter and belonging in the family of God.