The Names of Jehovah – Part 2

  • Pastor Josh Smith
Do you ever feel like you’re fighting battles alone or struggling to find rest in this busy world? God promises to be our banner of victory and our shepherd, but what does that really mean for our daily lives? Discover how rallying under His banner and following the Great Shepherd can transform your perspective and purpose in this powerful message.

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The Names of Jehovah – Part 2

Message Summary
Do you ever feel like you’re fighting battles alone or struggling to find rest in this busy world? God promises to be our banner of victory and our shepherd, but what does that really mean for our daily lives? Discover how rallying under His banner and following the Great Shepherd can transform your perspective and purpose in this powerful message.
Key Scripture
“But you have raised a banner for those who fear you, a rallying point in the face of attack.”
Psalm 60:4
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

DAY 1: The Banner Over Us

Exodus 17:8-15

Scripture: While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”).

Devotional: Just as Moses recognized God as his banner in battle, we too can claim God as our banner of victory. This isn’t about physical warfare, but about the spiritual battles we face daily. The name Yahweh-Nissi reminds us that victory comes not through our own strength, but through God’s presence and power in our lives. Notice how Moses needed support from others to keep his hands raised – this illustrates our need for community in maintaining our faith and experiencing victory.

Response Questions:

  1. What current “battles” in your life need to be brought under God’s banner?
  2. How has community support helped you maintain your spiritual strength?
  3. When have you experienced God’s victory in a situation that seemed impossible?

Prayer Points: • Ask God to help you recognize areas where you’re trying to fight battles in your own strength • Pray for the wisdom to build supportive relationships that strengthen your faith

Day 2

DAY 2: The Shepherd’s Rest

Psalm 23:1-6

Scripture: The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Devotional: The image of God as our shepherd reveals His intimate care for us. Notice how the psalm moves from rest to guidance, from protection to provision. Sometimes God lets us rest, and other times He makes us rest. Both are expressions of His shepherding love. The key is recognizing that true rest comes not from the absence of challenges, but from the presence of the Shepherd.

Response Questions:

  1. What does it mean to you personally that God is “my shepherd”?
  2. How do you distinguish between when God is “letting” you rest versus “making” you rest?
  3. Where do you need the Shepherd’s guidance most in your life right now?

Prayer Points:

  • Thank God for His shepherding presence in your life
  • Ask for discernment to recognize His guidance in both peaceful and challenging times

Day 3

DAY 3: Knowing His Voice

John 10:1-5, 14-16

Scripture: “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice… I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.”

Devotional: Jesus emphasizes the intimate relationship between shepherd and sheep – they know His voice. This isn’t about merely hearing, but recognizing and responding. In our noisy world, filled with competing voices, learning to distinguish the Shepherd’s voice is crucial. This comes through regular communion with Him and experience in following His leading.

Response Questions:

  1. How do you distinguish between God’s voice and other influences in your life?
  2. What practices help you stay attuned to the Shepherd’s voice?
  3. When was the last time you clearly recognized God’s voice guiding you?

Prayer Points:

  • Ask for increased sensitivity to God’s voice in your daily life
  • Pray for discernment to recognize and reject false voices

Day 4

DAY 4: Victory Through the Banner

Isaiah 11:10-12

Scripture: In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place. In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to bring back the remnant of his people—those who remain in Assyria and northern Egypt; in southern Egypt, Ethiopia, and Elam; in Babylonia, Hamath, and all the distant coastlands. He will raise a flag among the nations and assemble the exiles of Israel. He will gather the scattered people of Judah from the ends of the earth.

Devotional: Jesus is our banner of salvation, drawing people to Himself. This prophecy points to Christ as the ultimate rallying point for all believers. When we gather under His banner, we find not just personal victory, but become part of His larger victory story. Our individual struggles find meaning in the context of His greater purpose.

Response Questions:

  1. How has Jesus been a “banner of salvation” in your life?
  2. What does it mean to you to rally around Christ with other believers?
  3. How can you help others find their way to Christ’s banner?

Prayer Points:

  • Thank God for the victory we have in Christ
  • Pray for opportunities to share the hope of Christ with others

Day 5

DAY 5: The Great Shepherd’s Power

Hebrews 13:20-21

Scripture: Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Devotional: The Great Shepherd doesn’t just lead us; He equips us. Through His resurrection power, He works within us to accomplish His purposes. This is not about our capability but His ability working through us. When we submit to His shepherding, He produces in us what pleases Him.

Response Questions:

  1. What does it mean to be “equipped” by God for His will?
  2. How have you seen God’s power at work in your life recently?
  3. What areas of your life need to be surrendered to the Great Shepherd’s leading?

Prayer Points:

  • Ask God to equip you for the work He has called you to do
  • Pray for a willing heart to be used for His purposes

GrowGroup Guide

A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.

Opening Prayer Suggestion: “Father, as we discuss Your role as our banner and shepherd, help us be honest about where we need Your guidance and victory in our lives. Open our hearts to hear Your voice clearly. Amen.”

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it mean to you that God is your “banner of victory”? Context: The sermon explained that in biblical times, banners were symbols of identity and victory in battle. God promises to be a banner of victory specifically for those who fear (revere) Him. This isn’t just about winning physical battles, but about spiritual victory through our relationship with Him.
  2. The sermon mentioned that we often “take the facts of who God is and make them promises to ourselves.” How have you seen this play out in your own life or in others’? Context: The pastor emphasized that while God is a banner, He is specifically a banner to those who fear Him. We can’t claim His promises without pursuing a relationship with Him.
  3. Share a time when God “made you rest” versus “let you rest.” What did you learn from that experience? Context: The pastor shared personal examples of forced rest through injuries and surgeries, suggesting that sometimes God uses circumstances to make us slow down and hear His voice.
  4. How do you typically respond to life’s disruptions and inconveniences? How might viewing them as opportunities for rest change your perspective? Context: The sermon challenged us to reframe frustrating moments (like traffic jams) as potential moments to rest in God’s presence rather than getting “chippy” or frustrated.
  5. What does it mean to you personally that Jesus is both “my shepherd” (personal) and “the shepherd” (universal)? Context: The sermon discussed two Hebrew words for shepherd – “Rohi” (my shepherd) and “Raah” (the shepherd), emphasizing both the personal and universal aspects of Jesus’s shepherding.
  6. How can we better attune our ears to the Shepherd’s voice in our daily lives? Context: The message emphasized that being on the “right path” requires knowing Jesus’s voice, which comes through consistent relationship with Him.

Application Question: What is one specific area of your life where you need to let Jesus be your banner of victory or your shepherd this week?

Closing Activity: Have each person write down what they believe the Good Shepherd is speaking to them (just as they did in the service with the grow card), and invite them to share if they’re comfortable.

Scripture to Meditate On Through the Week: “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.” – Psalm 23:1-3

Next Steps: Encourage group members to identify one “disruption” each day this week and intentionally use it as a moment to rest in God’s presence. Challenge everyone to spend 5 minutes daily listening for the Shepherd’s voice. Consider how your group might support local church planting efforts, as mentioned in the sermon’s conclusion

Closing Prayer Focus: Thank God for being both our banner of victory and our shepherd, asking Him to help each person recognize His guidance and victory in their daily lives.

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