
NAMES OF GOD:
JEHOVAH-NISSI:
THE LORD IS MY BANNER
(Exodus 17:15)
Exodus 17:15
And Moses built an altar and named it, “The LORD Is My Banner.”
Exodus 17:13-16
Building an altar in your life. As the bride of Christ, our altars are key. They represent sacrifice, covenant, connection and commitment. They symbolize the root, origin and starting place of things like memorials, worship, surrender, consecration, safety and a refuge.
The words that accompany the building up of an altar are of equal importance. Every altar that is erected in the Bible is typically done so with words of revelation attached to them.
We want to erect an altar either because of what God has already done or because of something He is doing that is already underway.
The words that accompanied Moses after defeating an opposing army in battle were:
“The LORD Is My Banner.”
When you think about a banner what are the first things that are brought to mind?
I’d have to say that bold writings, making a statement and nothing being in hiding would be the things brought to my mind. I want to say that similar to several large flags raised and flapping by the wind is something that I also think about.
I imagine Moses saying while building the altar:
“The Lord is who I raise when my enemies think I am defeated.”
“The Lord is who I raise when my strength is depleted.”
“The Lord is who I depend on when others believe that my friends are no more and my defenses are weakened.”
“The Lord is who all of this is raised to in the end.”
“The Lord is who encourages others to raise my hands.”
“The Lord is who we stand in representation of.”
‘…and The Lord is the One I am solely dependent on;
and doing things His way produces the reward.”
Here is Your reminder that building an altar is, at times, the only reasonable response for some instances in life.
Here is your reminder the altars you build up within your lifetime towards your bridegroom will speak for you today and into the generations to come. They correct and uproot what was done before you and they serve your children’s children.
Here is your reminder that as the bride of Christ you are equipped to build altars at every milestone and monumental experience in and throughout your lifetime. Here is another reminder that personal relationship with God is also key as you build these altars.
I can only imagine the feelings that Moses had while being the leader of God’s people in this specific story and instance. I can imagine the pit in His stomach when He approached God with the complaints and the testings of God’s people. I could only imagine His desire to come to solutions that only God could provide. I imagine his demeanor and disposition as they came to him with complaint after complaint.
I can also imagine his confidence and clarity when he gave Joshua charge against the people of Israels enemies. I can imagine Moses possible dread of having to go up to a hill. You may wonder why the choice of words? Why would you say the word “dread”?
I’d have to say that if you’ve been walking, running, striving, contending or surrendering to and with the Lord for any specific amount of time you’ll know that some things He ask or requires of you; you don’t generally or even necessarily want to do.
There are moments you can feel and be sure in your thoughts that as much as you really love God you’d rather not take the next step of obedience because of what may be required of you. So as Moses goes up that hill he does so out of covenant and commitment, but what keeps him there isn’t that same thing.
He is there because God’s people are dependent on him. He is there out of the duty and because as long as his hands are raised everything that they are fighting for will also be raised and remain as well. He is there because of something bigger than himself.
He is there because Arron and Hur are committed to him, as well.
It is important for you to know that every altar that surrounds your life will be, or has been erected by your climb; of some metaphoric or literal hill you’ve climbed and remained on until…
Here’s your reminder not to minimize your own altars as His bride.
xoxo,
His Bride, By Design
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