Under His Banner ~ Guest Post by Lauren Zaubi

"So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him."

Isaiah 59:19 (NKJV)

Source

For many years there was a house in our small town that was occupied by a definite, hard core Pittsburgh Steelers fan.  The house displayed Steelers flags in the windows and on the flag pole.  The owner’s black, pick up truck proudly displayed Steelers emblems with multiple flags in various sizes mounted to the truck – flapping in the wind for everyone to see as he drove through town.  There was a slight problem though.  We are a suburb of Chicago . . . a town that is crazy for its various sports teams!  But this guy didn’t seem to care.  He was proud to be a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and he wanted everyone to know it!  As I was reading God’s Word one morning last week, I thought of this guy.  I’ll come back to this.

The Scripture passage I read was Psalm 60.  Israel was in a bad state.  David says the land was ‘torn open,’ fractured, and quaking.  The people were living in ‘desperate times.’  Sound familiar?  We are all living in various degrees of desperation, some worse than others.  But like David, we need to recognize what we as Believers have for ourselves and have to offer to those who are struggling through these desperate times.

In verse 4 of Psalm 60 we read, “But for those who fear you . . .”  I always love when I come to the word “but” in Scripture.  It speaks of an exception.  We live in this same fallen, torn open, fractured, and quaking world BUT . . . those who fear the Lord have something that should give us great courage in the midst of the turmoil we find ourselves and the rest of the world in.  

Verse 4 goes on to say, “. . . you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.”  We see this word ‘banner’ at various times in the Bible.  As I studied this word I found it comes from the Hebrew dagal which is a reference to a military standard or flag. We’ve all probably seen the old war movies where the army would march forward while carrying the flag of their country at the front of the soldiers.  The flag showed who the advancing army was fighting for.  It declared where their loyalties lay.  Our local Pittsburgh Steeler fan displayed his flags for all to see where his sports loyalties were placed.

In Charles Spurgeon’s Treasury of David he says, “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee. Their afflictions had led them to exhibit holy fear, and then being fitted for the Lord's favour, he gave them an ensign, which would be both a rallying point for their hosts, a proof that he had sent them to fight, and a guarantee of victory.”  Like soldiers united under their flag, we are to be animated with life and courage for the battle.  

I find great comfort as I rally with other Believers (virtually for now) under the banner of Christ which not only comforts me at this time, but it animates me with life and courage for this and any battle I am called to fight in.  Like Paul, I want to say, “. . . I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)

These afflictions we all face today should cause us to fear God, to turn TO God in our need.  We are reminded how fragile this life is, how quickly our comfortable lives can be turned upside down.  May we use this as an opportunity to unfurl the banner of Christ’s love and display to everyone we see Who it is that we serve.  May we unfurl the banner of Christ’s love and BE Jesus to those around us who are hurting.  Let us unfurl the banner of Christ’s love and declare where our loyalties lay.  And let us remember that we have the victory through Christ Jesus!

Bio:  Lauren and her husband Matt live in a suburb of Chicago.  They have three grown children and are expecting their first grandchild in May.  Lauren serves in children’s ministry at their church where Matt is on staff.  She is an avid sewer and crafter and loves all things vintage and retro.  She is a ‘beach girl’ at heart, LOVES summer and looks forward to the day (Lord willing) that she and her husband can ‘retire’ to the South!  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please take a few moments to visit Lauren's blog, where you will find a ton of crafting inspiration in a comforting, Christian atmosphere.  I always leave her space inspired and encouraged!

I Will Fear No More ~ The Afters

I am SO thankful to know we are marching under the banner of God's love beneath the shadow of the old, rugged cross.  There is no safer place to find ourselves in these troubled, perilous times.

May these thoughts bring comfort to you today.