Francis Scott Key wrote a timeless song still sung with eager interest in the greatest of venues and the smallest of gatherings. It was written after the attack on Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy. The barrage of bombs rained upon the occupants of that embattled fort, but yet they fought with every ounce of strength they could muster. During the overnight hours, the troops flew a smaller “storm flag” but it was not until morning before Key who watched from another ship would be able to know the result of this invasion at night. As dawn broke the darkness, Key saw a large flag flying where the smaller flag once flew. The colors were the same. The stars and stripes still remained. Victory was won and the “star-spangled banner” announced that “Old Glory” still lives to fight another day. In the documented battle against the Amalekites, the momentum of the battle was determined by Moses’ lifting of his hands. When Moses’s hands were raised, the momentum was on the side of the Israelites. Momentum was shifted in the other direction when his hands were not raised. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (Exodus 17:11). After the battle was over, the Israelites were victorious, and Moses built an altar at the site of the battle. And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner (Exodus 17:15). When an occupying army wins a victory, they raise their flag to signify that victory was theirs. The Israelites built altars. It served as a reminder of what had been accomplished in that land. As Moses named the altar, he gave credit where credit is due. His hands had nothing to do with the outcome of the battle. The warriors chosen for battle had nothing to do with the victory. Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord is our banner. Under the blanketed protection of God, fueled by His power, resting on His promises, the children of Israel marched in to battle with assurance that victory was theirs. Oh why, do we often act like victims, when with God on our side, we are victors. Too often, I find myself guilty of looking in the back of an intense novel in which I am so engrossed in just to make sure the character endures to the end and finds the happy ending. I have done that often for the Bible and each time, the results stay the same. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14) By the grace of God, we shall have the victory. God did not call us to follow Him to lose, God called us to follow Him so that we can win. In Jesus, our faith in Him, gives us the victory. If you are losing, the problem is you are fighting the battle. That’s not what God intended. God intended for you to give Him the battle to fight for you. Much like Christ died on the cross for you, God desires you to entrust your battles to Him. Let Him help you. Yes, the world will throw a barrage of its weaponry at us, but in Jesus we have an overcomer. The world threw a cross at Him, but he rolled a stone back. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). With this promise of victory, there should be expressions of joy and happiness in our actions and attitude. When people view us, they need to see us as victors. This assurance of victory should motivate us to worship and adoration of a victorious risen Savior and a merciful God who empowers and enables you to achieve and to maintain victory in your life. Are you a follower? Then you are a Conqueror! Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37) Do you have faith in Him? Then you are an overcomer! For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (I John 5:4). Our challenge is to let the world know it and let the world see it but also to inform them that they also can have it.
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