Jehova Nissi Series

Jehova Nissi

I am the God who defends you

Text: 2 Chron 20:1-21

20:1 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat.

2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar" (which is En Gedi).

3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

1). Jehoshaphat Feared – This was a terror to this man of God. He knew the reputation of these Moabites and Ammonites. ‘It was a great multidude’, the enemy was set to destroy utterly. They seemed to come from all sides, and sometimes we might feel this way, in the midst of Fear, it hitting me all at once.

Thoughts about Fear – The enemy controls lives through fear, 1 John says that Fear has torment. Many lives are tormented with inner fears and insecurities. Fear warps your true character and destroys your personality.

2). Set Himself – What do we do in the midst of Fear? How do we respond in the midst of Fear? Do try to take matters in our own hands, do we respond desperately? Notice Jehoshaphat HE SET HIMSELF to seek the Lord.

What does that Mean? – It is a term of putting yourself in a position of Force, it was not logical to respond this way, it was not logical to even put up a fight, and with all this logic against him, He has to force himself in a position to seek the Lord.

We are to do that, when things become overbearing we need to grab ourselves from the back of the neck and seek the Lord. Set ourselves to seek the Lord. Our craftiness does not deliver us, but by our Faith We overcome the world.

Note: the Name of Jehoshaphat means – May the eternal God Govern.

3). Ask help from the Lord – Judah came together to ask help, unity is important in Prayer, Here they approached JEHOVA – NISSI – “I am the GOD who defends you” Also it has the implication of a BANNER over our lives that is found in the Hebrew NACE – or NISSI.

Zech 9:16

16 The LORD their God will save them in that day, As the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, Lifted like a banner over His land-- NKJV

Ps 60:4

Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. KJV

This form of a Banner was like a ENSIGN, that when they entered into battle, they knew that they did not represent themselves, but they were represented by the banner of God.

The example of the Ark of God. One the people of God entered into battle as the enemy awaited and when they heard them shout and rejoice, they acknowledge that the ARK OF GOD was among them and they realize that they are fighting against GOD.

When we enter into overwhelming situations and we go to JEHOVA NISSI He places a banner over our lives, He represents us in the midst of the battle. It’s like a flag. In wars of the past was to take the flag from your opponent declaring your victory. The enemy desires for you to forfeit your Flag, your banner of representation of the defense of God. And in that we will be destroyed.

BANNER OF LOVE –

Song 2:4

He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love. NKJV

David spoke about this…

Ps 23:4-5

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. NKJV

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,

POINT - In order to experience this GOD – JEHOVA NISSI we must STAND

God will not defend us if we quit, He will not retreat with us, We must stand and SEE the salvation of the Lord.

What does the Banner represent? -

6 and said: "O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?