One of my favorite old movies is based on a Shakespeare play that was written as a historical account. The movie is Richard II. At the end of this movie is an epic battle when the English find out that they have defeated the French army in one of the greatest victories in English history.

Throughout this period of history, when the Kings of nations would go to battle with their armies to fight the enemy, one mans job was to carry the nation’s flag. When the flag was lifted high it showed that the King was still alive, but if the flag was no longer raised it meant the King had died. For the solider this was important as they knew that if their King was alive there was hope.

There is a story in Exodus 17 where Moses has just seen Israel claim its greatest victory of that nation’s existence. At the end of the battle Moses builds an altar to God and called the altar, Jehovah Nissi. This translates as the “Lord is my Banner”. 

The unique thing about this story is how Israel won the victory. Moses sat on a mountain and while the army of Israel led by Joshua fought, Moses watched and prayed. As he prayed he lifted his arms up to God. As he raised his arms the Israelites gained ground, as he got tired and the arms fell down the Israelites started to lose the battle.

Moses’ prayer had a direct impact on the battle. As Moses lifted his arms it was almost like the flag of the King being raised. It’s as if the angels of heavens armies could see Moses as the flag bearer and as he lifted his arms they knew that the King of Heaven was alive.

Moses that day realized the importance of God’s hand in our lives, and if the banner of the Lord is raised high then there is hope because the King is alive.

As you pray today, pray with the knowledge that the banner or flag of Heaven is flying high and this means there is hope. Maybe you are praying for a certain situation or someone else, then as you prayer know that just like Moses you are raising the banner to Heaven and Heaven will continue to fight because the King still lives.

Know that God is Jehovah Nissi, is the one who raises the banner and it is under that banner that you will receive refugee, strength and hope!

Jesus once asked His disciples a loaded question which only one was able to answer. The people who had scene Jesus at work referred to Him as a prophet, some thought He was Moses others said He was Elijah who had come back to life. Then Jesus turns to His disciples and asks them, “but who do you say I am?”

The disciples had already heard Jesus say in John 8:58 that He was the great I AM. Yet there was silence, except for one. The disciples who had walked with Jesus, seen Jesus close up, they knew Jesus still found this question difficult, except one! That one was Peter. He Jesus a name that is used in the bible to describe God over 400 times. Peter said to Jesus, you are The Lord!

Peter was saying to Jesus, you are Adonai. This is the ancient word to describe God that was used so much throughout the Old Testament now appears in the New Testament. The word Adon means Lord or Master. Yet the word Adonai means Lords or Masters.

Peter was saying to Jesus that he was his servant and Jesus was his Lord. He would be the one he would serve, Jesus would be the one who would call the shots, the one who was in charge. The fact that Adonai is plural just shows that not just Jesus is Lord, but God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is Lord. Three distinct characteristics of God, yet one Adonai! 

As you prayer to God today, know that you are praying to the great Adonai. The word who is Lord and Master. Lord and Master of your life, Lord and Master or your circumstances and surroundings. In fact He is Lord & Master of this very world. He is the one who is in charge, in control and has all authority.

Pray knowing that your are praying to Adonai, the great Master, the Lord of all! 

There is something in human nature that creates a sense that if we get to speak to the head guy (or girl) we are satisfied. Customers always want to speak to the manager or President of the company if they have a problem. Church goers always seem to want the Senior Pastor to pray for them. If we go to the hair salon we want the top stylist to work on our hair, if we end up in a court of law we want to go to the highest court until we get what we want.

In most of these cases it doesn’t make the slightest different whether you speak to the one on the highest rung of the ladder or the one on the first rung of the ladder. However, when it comes to things of a spiritual nature it makes all the difference.

In Genesis 14 we see two characters who exchange blessings, money and dialog. The one is a man called Abraham, the other is a priest & King called Melchizedek. Both are important people even though not much is said about Melchizedek. However, both are not described as the top of the ladder. The bible describes both men as belonging to El Elyon. 

El Elyon is translated into English as God Most High. Both Abraham & Melchizedek served a God which no-one was higher. They knew that when they went to God there was no higher authority. When they served God there was no higher master. When they were blessed by God there was no greater blessing.

As you pray today, pray with the knowledge that the God you pray to is the highest rung on the ladder. What He says is final. When He blesses there is no greater blessing. If He says YES there is no-one with the authority to overrule His decision. The amazing truth about El Elyon is that you have direct access to Him. You don’t have to make an appointment nor have to go through His secretary, He is available for you right now today!

Have confidence that when you pray, El Elyon (The God most high) is listening and acting on your behalf!