DAY 13 | The LORD My Banner

Moses built an altar and called it Adonai Nissi (The LORD My Banner).
Exodus 17:15

photography by Mike van den Bos / calligraphy by Rita Ip

MUSIC

PRAYER

The LORD My Banner, my victory! I exalt Your Name for You have won the ultimate and irreversible victory over all powers.

Thank You for every glorious victory I have experienced because of Your power, love, and truth. Thank You for celebrating my victories with me, even the smallest ones that no one ever notices.

Forgive me for battling through my days in my own strength, which makes me weary, frustrated, and disheartened. Forgive me for allowing fear to stop me from doing what I should.

Make me a resilient fighter, do not let my past failures paralyze me. Train my heart to rely on You and my hands to battle in Your strength.

Because You are My Banner, I declare I am destined to be more than a conqueror. By the blood of the lamb and the word of my testimony, I am an overcomer of every obstacle.

A few facts…

During the battle against the Amalekites at Rephidim, Moses held up the staff of God, and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on each side. Only as the staff was held aloft did the Israelites prevail. Moses built an altar to commemorate the victory, he named it Adonai Nissi, recognizing that God was Israel’s banner under which they defeated the Amalekites. (Exodus 17:8-16)
Adonai Nissi occurs only once in the Bible. It is translated as The LORD (is) My Banner. It can also be interpreted as The LORD My Miracle, The LORD My Refuge.
Nes (nês), a Hebrew word from which Nissi derived, means a pole with an insignia attached, banner, standard, ensign, signal, sign, and miracle.

Exercise 1:

TWO-WAY JOURNALING

Find a quiet space, and make yourself comfortable. Relax your shoulders, neck, and jaws.

Smile and breathe. Smile, victory is yours because you are His! Inhale deeply through your nose, causing your stomach to rise and expand, and focus your attention on the One who never ever loses a battle. Pause and hold your breath for a few seconds as you celebrate His victories over sins, temptations, death, and the devil. Slowly exhale through your mouth as you release any feelings of defeat and failure. Repeat as many times as you need.

Open up a new page in your journal, we are going to write to The LORD Your Banner. In His presence, you are loved and treasured just the way you are. It is the safest place to be yourself completely. Simply let your thoughts and words flow, and allow Him to navigate your inner world with you. Spend time listening and recording your dialogue with Him. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to a nourishing conversation.

[Part 1]
Dear Father / The LORD My Banner / My Victory, …
[Part 2]
Dear child / (your name), …

• You may recount the victories He led you to, no matter how small they seem.

• If you are coping with failures of any kind, process your experience and feelings with Him. Let Him shed light on your situation and help you reframe it.

Check out APPENDIX 2 for more.

Exercise 2:

DECLARATION

Are you fighting some major battles these days? I encourage you to write a faith-filled declaration and speak victory over your situation. He is The LORD Your Banner, your victory, the one who fights your battle for you.

Because You are The LORD My Banner, I declare I can / I will / I am…

Read your declaration out loud with certainty and anticipation. Read it a couple of times, and let your heart catch up with the words you are saying. Your faith in Him can turn the impossible into possible, and possibilities into realities. If you deem it appropriate, post your declaration somewhere prominent to remind yourself.

This completes Day 13 of HE. Today, I pray that every time you lift up His name, The LORD Your Banner, you know your victory is already won. Hallelujah!