Lesson 8
 Yahweh-Nissi – The Lord my Banner (2 Corinthians 2:14; Exodus 17:15) – part 1
“Be Armed and Prepared for Spiritual Battle” (1 Chronicles 12:38)
Read 2 Samuel 2 – 5:5, 1 Chronicles 12:23-38, Ephesians 6:10-18 www.bible.com/bible/59/2sa.2.esv

 The people of Judah came to Hebron and made David their king. The war between the house of Saul and the house of David was fought for several years. But the longer the war continued, the stronger David became, and the weaker Saul’s supporters got.

All the tribes of Israel finally came to David. They remembered God had promised David, “You will shepherd My people Israel.” Before God, David made a treaty with the leaders of Israel and they anointed David king over the whole land.

In 1 Chronicles 12, 23-40, God describes David’s warriors as battle-seasoned, battle-ready, carrying shield and spear, fierce and famous fighters, men who understood both the times and their country’s duties, well-equipped veteran warriors, unswervingly loyal, heavily armed.

Except for those who serve their country in the military, most of us aren’t called to fight physical battles. But we’re all involved in a moment-by-moment spiritual battle, and our choices determine whether we obey God and make Him Ruler and King over our lives, or give in to the temptations from our enemy the devil. How do we become good warriors in God’s army?

Ephesians 6:10-18 describes this spiritual battle, and the armor and weapons God provides for us to fight our enemy successfully. The Lord is strong, infinitely stronger than the devil, and He wants us to be strong in His might. As we put God’s well-made weapons to good use, Yahweh-Nissi will lead us triumphantly in our fight against the devil and his demons.

God wants us to be prepared, because we can’t fight this fight on our own. We need to take every weapon God has issued us. With these weapons, we can apply truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation throughout our lives. We can’t even begin to fight without God’s Word, and long, hard prayer is also essential. We should pray for our Christian brothers and sisters, also, keeping each other’s spirits up so everyone continues to fight the good fight of faith.

 The Lord is our Banner, and only through Him can we win the victory in this perpetual warfare. A banner is carried at the head of a military body as a rallying point. Our Yahweh-Nissi, leading the battle, assures victory. “Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession" (2 Corinthians 2:14a).

 Apply God’s Word to your life:
Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the armor of God and how we can be armed and prepared for the spiritual battle. Fill in the blanks:
 *Be strong in the ___  (Yahweh-Nissi, our Banner)
 *Put on God’s ___ so you can ___ and ___
 *Belt = ___
 *Breastplate = ___
 *Shoes = ___
 *Helmet = ___
 *Sword = ___ (Word of ___
*Shield = ___
*Pray (when?) ___