Jehovah Nissi - You Have Done It!

 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you today, because of what the Lord has done.  

Yet in real life it doesn't always seem that way.  David had similar problems. Psalm 52 starts rather negative as it describes the heart and attitude of Doeg the Edomite who betrayed David and killed Ahimelech and the priests of Nob.  "You love evil more than good, falsehood more that speaking what is right.  You love words that devour."  Evil always boasts of the destruction it can do, but God...   

Thanks be to God who clearly has the perfect plan to "break you (evil) down forever," according to verse 5, and of course, complete eradication of evil in Revelation.  God is not mocked.  Love and Truth, Jesus Christ, has overcome all.  

The verse that caught my attention in this same psalm is verse 8.  "But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.  I will give thanks forever, because you have done it."  

It is finished.  Jehovah Nissi declares it.  The surface meaning of Jehovah Nissi seems weak, "the Lord is my banner."  However, the more complete context is that it is a banner of total triumph, much like the Avalanche would hang up a banner in Ball Arena after winning the Stanley Cup declaring their victory and championship.  Our banner, our championship, is Jesus on the cross, which once for all establishes God's total overcoming of sin and all its consequences.  Paul affirms in 1 Corinthians that the cross is the power of God and the wisdom of God.  His victory gives you new "green olive tree" vitality and a fresh awareness that you have God's Word assuring lovingkindness (mercy and goodness) forever.  Our relationship with the God of total love and mercy never ends. We are joined to Him and His lovingkindness forever.  The concept of never ending is beyond my finite imagination, but I am so grateful to declare what He has done for me and simply receive it with thanksgiving!