SCRIPTURES: Psalms 23:4d Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Exodus 17:15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it JEHOVAH-NISSI: 16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ENSIGN of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
THOUGHT: In Psalm 23:4, the rod and the staff bring comfort. The word for comfort has to do with being strengthened. The shepherd’s rod is for both disciplining wayward sheep and for their protection from wild animals. The shepherd’s staff is the symbol of authority and leadership. It is comforting and it strengthens us to know that the LORD leads us in His authority, protects us and disciplines us in the right paths. This is the banner that you live under as a child of God.
In the Bible, the word for “NISSI” is most often translated as either “standard”, “ensign” or “banner”, all mean the same thing. A few times in Numbers 21, it is translated as “pole”, also representing the banner that was erected for the people to look towards in order to be healed from the serpent bites.
By way of explanation, the flag of your country is a standard, ensign or banner. When you see your flag flying, you know that you are in your country’s domain and that as a citizen, all of the rights, benefits and protections of your country are available to you. Your country’s flag stands for something.
JEHOVAH-NISSI: THE LORD WHO IS YOUR BANNER, means that He, as the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, has established His Son, Jesus Christ as the Banner of His Kingdom. See in Isaiah 11:10, “…He shall stand as an ensign for the people…” Jesus, Himself is our Banner. All of the rights, benefits, promises and protections of heavenly citizenship are yours when you line up under God’s Banner, and look to Him in faith.
PRAYER: My Father and my God: For the rest of my life I declare that I am a citizen of your Kingdom and that I plant myself firmly under your Banner. You are my God who protects me, chastens, guides, and leads me in the paths of righteousness. I proudly serve under the Banner of the Kingdom of God in Christ. I now know that all of the promises, rights and benefits of Your Kingdom are mine. I also recognize Your right to chasten and discipline into the path of Righteousness. I receive it all with gratitude, In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
NOTE: Psalm 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
