“And Moses built an altar and called the name of it,
The Lord Is My Banner, saying ‘A hand upon the throne of the Lord!’”
– Exodus 17:15 (ESV)

By now, NFL fans around the world know the outcome of Super Bowl LVII (57). Banners are flying high for the Kansas City Chiefs who won their second Super Bowl in the last four years. Flying the banner of our favorite sports team is a long-standing tradition. A quick internet search will provide countless ways in which today’s fan can display his or her team loyalties. We see banners hanging in our streets and our homes. Flags, decals, and magnets are standard equipment on every fan’s car or truck. Team banners can be found in our game rooms and bedrooms, as well as on our mailboxes and front doors. We want the focus to be on our team and we want everyone to know we stand side-by-side with them.

Over the centuries, God has been given many names. He is El Shaddai—“Lord God Almighty”; Jehovah-Raah—“Lord My Shepherd”; and Jehovah Jireh—“Lord Will Provide”. God is also called Jehovah-Nissi—“Lord is My Banner”. Nissi is the Hebrew word for “banner”. Following a great victory over the Amalekites, Moses recognized that Israel’s success was the result of the Lord (God) being their banner. As long as the focus was on God, victory was theirs. In battles throughout history opposing countries have flown their banner on a pole. The purpose is to give soldiers a feeling of hope and a positive point of focus. That is what God is to us—a banner of encouragement, giving us endless hope and a constant point of focus. Where is your focus today? Are your eyes locked in on things that have eternal value or are they distracted by the things of this world?

“Lord God, You are my “Banner”. In the battles that life brings my way today, help me to keep my focus on You. You are my only hope and salvation. In Jesus name, Amen.