The Lord Our Banner

[0:00] Good morning. Good morning. I want to bless God and appreciate the leadership for the privilege given to me this morning to bring the word of God to us.

[0:30] And it's my sincere prayers that our lives will be blessed as we all share from the scripture today in the name of Jesus.

[0:46] Shall we bow our hearts as we pray? Dear Father, we give you praise. We lift you high because you are our God.

[1:05] And we thank you because you have made today a glorious day and the day that you have made. Lord, as we listen to your words this morning, please bless our hearts.

[1:23] Teach us from above. And may your name only be praised. For in Jesus' mighty name we pray.

[1:33] Amen. Amen. We shall continue from what we've been discussing for a few weeks now. And today, by the special grace of God, we'll be considering Exodus chapter 17 from verse 8 to 16.

[1:58] Please permit me to read from this place.

[2:12] Then came Hamalek and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men and go out.

[2:32] Fight with Hamalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him and fought with the Hamalek.

[2:49] And Moses, Aaron, and Hor went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses had up his hand, that Israel prevailed.

[3:04] And when he let down his hand, Hamalek prevailed. For Moses' hands were heavy. And they took a stone and put it under him.

[3:16] And he sat thereon. And Aaron and Hor stayed up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other side.

[3:28] And his hands were steady unto the going down of the sun. And Joshua disconflicted Hamalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

[3:39] And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book. And realize it in the ears of Joshua.

[3:51] For I will utterly put out the remembrance of the Hamalek from all that in heaven. And Moses built an altar and called the name of it Jehovah Nessi.

[4:02] For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Hamalek from generation to generation.

[4:14] And the Lord blessed the reading of his words in our hearts. First of all, it amazes me that at this point in time, And I think the first time ever since the Israelites left Egypt, They saw war and they didn't grumble.

[4:41] Even before now, There was an issue of water. They murmured. They even doubted if God was among them or not.

[4:52] Now they saw war. They took action. What can we refer to?

[5:03] When we hear about banner, What can we talk about banner? Of course, We have many nations, If not all nations, Have banner or what we can Call flags.

[5:19] And it usually denotes many things. I know of Nigerian flags, For instance, Green, white, green. When you look at it, You may see aesthetics.

[5:33] But beyond the aesthetics, There are in-depth definitions. There are connotations in some of these flags Or banners that You see when it is being erected.

[5:45] So, It shows identity. We have also observed that when Harmony of nations, When they go to war, They go with their flags.

[5:59] Because there is an emblem Showing identity. They have pride in it. Glory to God now, That at this point, Israelites could declare That God Is their banner.

[6:18] Banners are often Designed with coded information. Rather than Ordinary facial aesthetic. And it most times Summarily describes Who or what The holder is.

[6:33] They have pride in it. I also read Somewhere That because of dust And many things That happen in the battles, Most times, Harmony go to war With their banner So that If any of them Is lost, Sighting the banner Afarov, He has peace That, Oh, I can see my people.

[6:55] God has predicted That Israel Would see war. If you remember that story. And that is the reason Why the Bible said He did not lead them Through the way Of the Philistines.

[7:07] Because He knew That when they saw war They may decide To go back. The Bible said He led them Through the journey That was though far Because of war.

[7:20] So God has predicted That Israel Will see war. And that was why He did not lead them Through the way Of the Philistines. Although that was near.

[7:31] And that was proven In the book of Exodus Chapter 13 Verse 17. He led them Through a longer route. Perhaps for the nation Of Israel To be trained And increased In the knowledge Of God.

[7:43] Now, Just after The issue Of the water That was just solved In the earlier verses Of the scripture, I realized that Probably by this time Israel Will have been Weak And faint.

[8:01] Now, Just after that Miracle of water From the rock, The people of Israel Were attacked By not just Any nation But the Amalek. It also amazed me That Of all nations Amalek The descendants Of Esau The twin brother Of Jacob The Israel Were the first nation To attack Israel.

[8:32] I don't know If that is Ringing many things In your thoughts But God Knew all this. Why Amalek Did this Was not captured In the scripture But obviously The attack Could Inder the Israel From actually Getting to their Promised land Or at least From For prolonging The journey.

[8:55] God The all Knowing He has Decided to Prepare Israel For this challenge. Now Moses Could instruct Joshua To gather Men To fight The Amalek.

[9:12] If this Has happened Earlier To them I don't know If they have Actually If they will Have gotten This courage If the war Started Just The time They were Leaving Egypt Maybe they Wouldn't have Gotten this Courage To do This.

[9:29] Indeed God knows Our ways. He knows Our journeys In life. He said In the book Of Isaiah Chapter 49 Verse 16 That behold And I also Saw it When we When we Just sang A song now That I have Engraved you Upon the Palms of My hands.

[9:50] Your walls Are continually Before me. It is Therefore Not wise For any Child Of God To embark On any Journey In life Without seeking God's Counsel Approver Or Guidance.

[10:07] So whatever Journey And when I'm Talking about Journey I'm not Talking about Probably Even that Is also Part of it But essentially I'm referring To journey In life.

[10:19] Marriage. Career. Ministry. Bible says In Psalms 37 Verse 5 That Commit Your way On to The Lord.

[10:33] Trust also In him And he Shall Bring it To pass. We should Also learn To always Trust his Will and Not to Find Shortcut Or alternative Route To ourselves.

[10:47] If people Of Israel Are taking The shorter Roads Against God's Will For their Journey. Only God Knows what Will have Happened To them By now. Proverbs 3 Verse 5 And 6 Says Lean not On to Your whole Understanding.

[11:04] In all Your ways Acknowledge him And he Shall direct Your path. I remember I remember When we Were discussing About The earlier When they Were first Leaving the Egypt And the Bible said God did Not lead Them through The way Of the Philistine Though it Was near.

[11:21] You know You will be Thinking Was God Thinking about Punishing them Why will God Lead his People through A road That is Lengthy.

[11:35] Why not The shorter One so that They can get To their Promised land. God knew What he Was doing. The best We can do As children Of most High Is to Learn To always Commit our Way into His hands Because he Knows it all And of course Is the creator Of all.

[11:54] This amazing Story revealed Power of God Among the Israelites. Moses instructed Joshua to get Some men And fight The Amalek. Himself Aaron And Hall Went On the Hill And lifted The rod In his Hands.

[12:12] Now there Is a question Here. Who do we Think Did the Fighting? Was it Moses the Leader? Was it The rod That was Raised?

[12:27] Was it Joshua And his Men? Was it Aaron And Hall? Or God Himself? Of course The answer Is God Himself Because He is The man Of the Battle The Overs Savout He is the Lord of Hosts He only Uses Whatever Pleases Him As Versual Pattern He was The one Walking Behind The Saints Nevertheless All of Them Play Significant Role As observed In this Passage And there Were Some Lessons That God's Grace That we Want us To learn From this Team Number One There is Obedience Of Joshua To Moses Their Leader Moses Instructed Them Do This And They Did It There is

[13:28] Also Unity And Assistance Of Heron And Hol Despite The Age Experience And The Qualification Of These Two People To Moses I Hope You Remember That Hamiram And Jochebed These Are The Parents Of Moses Heron And Miriam And Moses Was The Youngest And The Finding Says That Hor Was The Husband Of Miriam So Now Hor Aaron Should Of Course They Were Whole Than Moses But There Was Unity Assistance And Obedience To The Leadership Of Moses And The Number Third Point I Also Want To Emphasize Here Is The Obedience Of Moses Himself To God's Instruction Because

[14:28] I Believe Moses Must Have Followed God's Instruction As He Always Did In Situations Like This For Him To Believe Such Drama Could Hand Them Victory Against The Amalekite He Must Have Had God And Decided To Obey It Is Not A Small Thing That When There Is Battle The Next Thing You Think About Is Raising A Rod Of Course We'll Have Said Yeah He Has Done It Way For Him To Have Told Joshua To Gather Men So What They Should Also Do Is All Of Them To Also Harm Them With Some Gadgets And Hang Around Where Did He Do That Then Obviously He Must Have Had God And He Must Have Obeyed God No Matter How Simple Or Foolish

[15:29] That Counsel Of God May Look Like The Rod In His Hand Had Been Used For Different Purposes At Different Situations If You Remember The Same Rod Has Turned To Snake It Has Used The Same Rod To Smite The Rock Now It Was Raised To Win Battle As Children Of God We Must Be Sensitive To God's Dealings And Leading Over Our Lives Our God Is Not Limited And It Cannot Be Caged He Does Whatever That Pleases Him And Bring Glory Upon His Name Therefore Obedience To His Instruction Is Always For Our Good Recently I Was Reading The Book Of Zechariah And I Think Chapter Seven When The People Sent Some Men

[16:29] To Go And Check To Go And Pray To God If They Should Fast Or Not And God Was Telling Zechariah That Tell The People That For 70 Years That They Were Fasting Who Were Fasting To I Was Wondering He Also Asked Them That When They Were Drinking And Eating Unto Whom Were They Doing That And He Told Them What He Needed Them To Do That They Did Not Do So I Was Wondering That One May Be Going Through Or Doing Some Religious Activities For These Years Instruction And Obedience Or Obedience To Instruction Of God Is Most Parallel Thing As Children Of Most High God If You Also Remember What Happened When Samuel Told Esau The Same Hamalek And Esau Did Not Obey And Because Of That He

[17:29] Thought He Could Do Some Sacrifices Sam Samuel Says No To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice Therefore Obedience To Instruction To God's Instructions Is Always For Our Good I Don't Know How Many Times In Our Spirit God Has Told Us To Do Something Most Times It May Look Unrealistic Most Times It May Look As See How Can I Present This How Will People Understand This There Is War Face To Face And You Are Saying Some Of You See Go On The Heat To Raise Rod Rod Raise Rod For What Reason It Doesn't Make Any Sense Humanly Speaking But Never Mind Because Nothing That Nothing Makes Sense To The People Of The World Especially When It Is The issue Of God Almighty I Really Want To Tell Us This

[18:29] Morning That Whatever Thing You Are Thinking If You Are So Sure That Is The God That Is Asking You To Do It That Lies The Victory Whichever Way or Mean He Chooses To Use For A Situation The Glory Must Be His At The End Aaron And Hall Observe That When Moses When Moses Heared Up His Hand Israel Prevailed But When He Let Down His Hand Hamalek Prevade What Wonderful Observation And Assistance From Aaron And Hall We Can Learn Unity Of Purpose In This Union All To The Glory Of God God What What If Joshua Did Not Obey The Instructions What If Moses Failed To Carry Aaron And Hall Along To The Hill Or What If He Wanted To Do But Two Of Them Just Refused

[19:29] To Honor The Invitation Or What If Moses As The Leader Did Not Obey Or Trust God Directives If Any Of This Had Happened The Story May Not Have Been What We Are Reading Today Everybody Played Its Role And They Achieved Success There Are Lots To Be Gained In The Body Of Christ If All Members Work In Humility And Unity There Are Law To Gain As Family If Members Of The Family Are Carried Along And Willing To Play Their Part One Of The Institutions Created By God Himself Is Family Never Mind Many Divinations Of Family Now People Have Defined Family In Many Ways Never Mind God Himself Instituted It It Is Not Good

[20:29] For A Man To Be Alone But How Will The Family Exercise The Function Of Almighty God How Will A Family Fulfill God's Intention God Is Not A Man That Would Just Think Do There臨 and you think he does not have reason he's doing that?

[21:13] There are a lot a family can do, both to the glory of God and to the blessing of humankind, if they are able to come together, pray together, and do the needful.

[21:26] Another lesson was the significance and the relevance of the roles played by the actors in this story.

[21:38] I was ruminating God, Holy Spirit, what is, what can we deduce from these acts? What are you passing across? Don't forget the book of famous talks about the scriptures.

[21:51] It says it is written for us. For corrections, for doctrines, et cetera. So I was thinking, you have put this, you have allowed this in the scriptures.

[22:06] Then how can we apply it in our day's situation? And I want to bring to our remembrance some things. Do you remember in the book of Exodus chapter 7 verse 1, that God made Moses as God to Pharaoh?

[22:24] Moses said, I will make you a God to Pharaoh. Also in the book of Exodus chapter 4 verse 16, Aaron was to Moses instead of mouth, and Moses to Aaron instead of God.

[22:42] That was when Moses was complaining, that I'm a stammerer, I can't speak, I can't do this, I'm not sure you are sending the right person. And God said, who made the mouth? And God told him, Aaron, your brother, will be your mouthpiece.

[22:59] Then, another thing I also want to bring to our remembrance is, Paul was the third person on the hill with Moses. So it's like, he's the third in the union.

[23:11] The scripture admonishes us to pray without ceasing, and that we should be anxious for nothing. But in everything, by prayers and supplications, with thanksgiving, we should make our request known to God.

[23:30] That is Philippians chapter 4 verse 6. Prayer is an important element in our walk with God. And God always seeks our continuous call to him in all circumstances.

[23:46] An attitude of prayer is an attitude of humility and reliance to God. It shows that without him, we can do nothing.

[23:57] Faith, on the other hand, is a base upon which effective prayer is set. Hebrews 11 verse 6 says, Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

[24:17] Because anyone that will approach him must believe that he exists. Number one, and is the rewarder of those that diligently seek him.

[24:29] So without faith, approaching God in prayers would be a difficult thing. Our Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples in Mark chapter 11 verse 24, that what things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them.

[24:49] James 1 verse 7 also says something that a double-minded person will not receive anything from the Lord. So, prayer is our weapon of spiritual warfare.

[25:04] It must be offered with faith. So I see Moses wrote as it was raised on the hill in this story as a prayer that is raised to God through our mouth.

[25:19] And I see hands of Moses upon which the Lord rested as faith. Only faith in God can make one raise altar of prayer in the midst of fierce battle.

[25:37] When the hands of Moses were heavy and it started going down, Aaron and Hor assisted him. faith in the midst of God and the Holy Spirit. These two other men can be likened to the Word and the Holy Spirit.

[25:54] Faith is built and sustained by the Word of God. Romans 10 verse 17 says, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

[26:06] No one can grow in faith without the Word. No one. Faith that is not based on the Word of God will fade away and becomes weaker in the days of adversity.

[26:23] Holy Spirit is the third in the Trinity. That helps believers to pray right. Romans chapter 8 verse 26 and 27 says, Likewise, the Spirit also helps our infirmities.

[26:37] And the infirmities here is not really talking about sickness. It's talking about our weakness. for we do not know what or how we should pray.

[26:51] But the Spirit he says makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that sucheth the heart knows what the mind of the Spirit is because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

[27:08] So I see the assistance of Harun and Hull as the Word and the Spirit of the Living God that helps us to pray with faith.

[27:23] Brethren, I don't know what battles of life you are currently faced with. I don't know what unprecedented situation that has come your way.

[27:36] just like Israelites experienced with the Amalakai the father's twins their father's twins brother they came from the they are the descendants of their father twins brother.

[27:53] father. I just want to assure this morning and to also empower us that do not relent in your own wisdom or power.

[28:04] Go to the Lord in prayers with faith. I don't know if anyone seated here is already done with prayers. You think God does not answer prayers anymore.

[28:22] I went through something that was so serious in my life two years ago less than two years now.

[28:33] Some people here know the story. And then I was hospitalized for 39 days and even the doctor said I won't be able to survive.

[28:49] Some of them, they couldn't tell me directly. But you know when doctors, when they come and check your case file and they say, you know, they just want to encourage me.

[29:04] pray. But I told them that they should start praying. And the church, they were praying. And I, when I recovered, because I didn't even know where I was and things like that.

[29:21] So, while I opened my eyes, and I met with the lead doctor, the senior registrar, that she should please speak to me.

[29:31] what happened? And they said, you know what? For now, we have to suspend your digestive system for a while, because several organs in your body were damaged.

[29:46] The several organs, how many organs do I have in my body? They said, yes, that is the truth. That they have to cut, cut, join, and things like that. So, they had to suspend my digestive system, then after a while, if they observe improvement, then they will restore the digestive system.

[30:09] And truly, for the period, I don't even know how many weeks or months, my digestive system was suspended. So, I just had the bag here.

[30:22] So, when I hit, it goes through this bag. But, where I'm going is along the line, I began to experience fever that I have not seen before.

[30:37] And they began to use drug. They used everything. The drug was so expensive. And, they were confused themselves. They would just come again and say, how far?

[30:48] I said, I'm still experiencing this. What is? And they started calling themselves. And that person was also, okay, can you use this? Let him try this. Another consultant came and said, oh, don't give him one dose.

[31:02] Double the dose. And they were doing all sorts. A night on the bed, I was ruminating. And I was thanking God. First of all, I didn't have any conviction within me that I was going to die.

[31:17] So, death was far from it. I was just wondering. Then I told my wife when she came the following day. Because they didn't allow her to sleep in the hospital.

[31:30] So, you know what? Just tell everyone that they should start praying. That I'm sensing some things here. And that's how they started praying. It was when we started praying the fever crashed.

[31:53] Time will not permit me to begin to narrate some stories that God is still in the business of doing miracle. He can fix everything.

[32:05] He can fix anything. So, I want to encourage you, whatever thing you are facing, please go to the Lord in prayers with faith.

[32:21] And ever since they thought they repaired the same organs, God changed the same organs. Because since I left the hospital, I've not gone to the hospital again.

[32:33] Since I left, since the day I was, I went to the second surgery, so they restore the digestive system, and we prayed, and God assured us that on the seventh day I would leave the hospital.

[32:47] Even when they told me, I didn't, I was, you know, at times you will hear some word, you will be wondering, leaving the hospital seven days, okay, I've learned to believe.

[33:02] So I kept to that word in my spirit. On the seventh day, the doctor came to me and checked me and said, why are you delaying this guy? Please let him go home. And that evening, they sent all everything and they released me.

[33:16] Even when the nurses saw me the following there and said, who discharged you? The doctor said I should go home. You're asking me who discharged me? And I left.

[33:29] If I didn't tell you this story, you wouldn't have believed that somebody studying before you, less than two years, has gone through that difficulty. That is the power of prayer.

[33:43] In fact, when I came to this land, people at home thought, if you get there, please make sure you see doctor for check up and things like that. The question is, I don't even know what to tell doctor to check.

[33:56] I don't know, sincerely speaking. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know what to tell. God will God will you check.

[34:11] I just laugh. God is still in business of doing the undoable. Do not forget to take along with you the word of God and Holy Spirit as you constantly approach the hill of God for prayers.

[34:34] Because I know Jehovah sabouts the rewarder of those that diligently seek him will fight your battles. And at the end of it all you will be bold to summarily say the Lord is my banner.

[34:57] Shall we bow our heart as we pray? I'm led to tell us two things.

[35:10] Number one is to give us just one minute individually to just pray in your spirit. I don't know what challenge you're facing.

[35:25] I don't know what things that you are confused about and you think prayer cannot serve it. if Israelites if they have depended on their battle alone, if they have left everything to Joshua and his men, of course we know that they will have failed woefully.

[35:50] do it. But while they are doing their physical thing, the Bible says for the weapon of our warfare, not karma. For mighting the Lord to the pulling down of the strongholds.

[36:06] I don't know whatever strongholds you are thinking about. pray for Israel as we are even talking now. Some may trust in chariots, some may trust in horse, but nothing should shift your faith from God.

[36:30] Him alone must be trust. So just giving us one minute, pray about that thing and just commit it to God. Say, God, I believe you.

[36:46] And I know, according to your word, this will be done. The second people I also want to, or things I want us to pray about is faith.

[37:01] Do you always doubt God's word? Is there something in you that tells you it's not possible? Or because of the doubt you have, you have not declared God, Jesus, as your Lord and Savior?

[37:23] You can pray today. The Bible says, for the grace, this grace that has saved, or that is still saving, let me put it that way, has appeared to all men.

[37:37] There must not be doubts, because our God still does wonders. Some want us to also pray, God, help me. Like that man cried unto Jesus, say, please, help my own belief.

[37:56] Dear Father, we give you praise this morning. We thank you, Lord, because you have spoken to us by your words. Lord, we have seen what you have done.

[38:12] we are also experiencing what you are doing. And we know, for you are the same yesterday, today, and forever more, you will still do it for us.

[38:28] Lord, we pray that as many that are weak, as many that need strength, that you give unto us, Lord, as many that are doubting their minds, please let the Spirit strengthen our faith, and let us learn to always focus and pray unto you.

[38:56] The Bible says, I will lift up my eyes unto the head. Where's we have come at my head? To my help come from the Lord. The Lord will make heaven and hell.

[39:08] Lord, teach also God, that at all times we always look unto you in prayers to draw our strength and to win our battles.

[39:22] Help us not to relent or to rely on our own weapon. Help us to fight from the angle of the victorious. Because you said that we are more than conquerors through Christ that love us.

[39:40] Please teach us this, that at all times we will declare to the world that you are our banner.

[39:52] We bless your name oh God. For in Jesus' mighty name we pray. Amen.