The God Who is Jehovah Nissi
Exodus 17:8-16
St. John’s United Church of Christ
Greeley, Colorado
May 3, 2026
Rev. Juvenal Cervantes
There is something awesome about lifting our hands before the Lord. I’d like to invite you to an exercise using our hands. Raise your hands up with the palm outward- this expression represents “worshiping” God as the supreme and sovereign being. Then extend your hands out to the sides as if you’re about to receive something. This expression represents the “expectation” of God's blessings. The third is bringing the hands together as if you're presenting an offering to God, and this represents “dedication” of self to God. The last is raising our hands with palms toward our back, and this means all to the “glory” of God.
Our story today features Moses raising hands, this time as a sign of victory or defeat.
Exodus 17:8-16
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, saying, “A hand upon the throne[a] of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”
Today we’re looking at one powerful name of God: Jehovah Nissi — “The Lord is my Banner.”
A banner in biblical times was a flag lifted high in battle. It told soldiers:
1) Who they belonged to; 2) Where to gather, and 3) Where victory was.
So here’s the question:
What banner is over your life right now?
1. Battles Will Come
In Exodus 17, Israel is suddenly attacked by Amalek.
They just experienced miracles—yet now they’re in a fight.
Truth: Walking with God doesn’t eliminate battles.
You can be faithful and still face pressure
You can be obedient and still struggle
You can be growing and still be attacked
But the battle doesn’t mean God has left you.
2. Victory Comes Through Dependence
Moses stands on a hill holding the staff of God.
When his hands are up → Israel wins
When his hands fall → the enemy advances
The lesson is simple:
Victory in the valley is connected to surrender on the hill.
In our lives:
Prayer is powerful
Worship is strategic
Dependence on God changes outcomes
When we lift our hands, we’re saying:
“God, I need You.”
3. You Need People
Moses gets tired—but he’s not alone.
Aaron and Hur hold up his hands until victory comes.
You were never meant to fight alone.
God uses people to strengthen you
Community sustains you when you’re weak
Some victories come because someone stood with you
If you’re isolated, you’re more vulnerable than you need to be.
4. The Lord Is Your Banner
After the victory, Moses builds an altar and declares:
“The Lord is my Banner.”
That means:
God is my identity
God is my covering
God is my victory
So today:
Fear is not your banner
Failure is not your banner
Your past is not your banner
God is your banner.
Conclusion
Every life is under something.
But only one banner leads to victory.
So today, make this your declaration:
“The Lord is my Banner.”
If you’re in a battle today, just lift your hands as a sign of surrender and trust in God.
Closing Prayer
“Lord, we declare today that You are our Banner. In every battle, we trust You. Strengthen us, surround us with the right people, and help us live under Your victory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”