Year of Realization - Day 57: The Lord fights for His people.

““Who would do such a thing?” King Xerxes demanded. “Who would be so presumptuous as to touch you?” Esther replied, “This wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy.” Haman grew pale with fright before the king and queen.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭7‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You have probably heard of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO. Beginning with 12 nations, it has now grown to include 30.

NATO was formed in the aftermath of the WWII. Its purpose was to secure peace in Europe while promoting cooperation among its members. Most importantly, the treaty assures collective defense, meaning that an attack against one Ally is considered as an attack against all Allies.

The NATO website boils their mission down to this: “The North Atlantic Treaty Organization – or NATO – ensures that the security of its European member countries is inseparably linked to that of its North American member countries.”

The power of NATO has been that it connects more vulnerable nations with those better prepared to defend themselves, like the United States. Whatever they have become now, there is little doubt that this alliance thwarted many conflicts.

Feeling vulnerable and unable to defend yourself is terrible for nations; indeed, it’s terrible in our own lives.

However, we need not fear when faced with overwhelming circumstances or a formidable foe; we have an alliance much more significant than mere men could form. You see, we have YAHWEH NISSI - the Lord is my banner! This name for the Lord appears only once in the Bible after the army of Israel had a great victory over the Amalekites:

“Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”). He said, “They have raised their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.””

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭17‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yes, the Amalekites didn’t realize that when they took on the army of Israel they were also taking on the Lord. Indeed, Israel fought under the flag of the Lord.

The armies of Pharaoh who pursued the children of Israel into the Red Sea found out this fact too late.

“Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them into the middle of the sea. But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!””

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Make no mistake, as a child of God, when the enemy comes up against you, whether they know it or not, they’re fighting against the Lord!

“And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!””

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬, ‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In our opening scripture we see that Esther has spilled the beans: Haman is the enemy. You see, Haman did not realize that the beloved queen was a Jew. And—he found out too late—Esther didn’t fight alone.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#yearofrealization