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Every year at Christmastime, my church puts on a large production, complete with music, a play, and lights.
And in that show, there is usually a manger scene, where shepherds, wise men, and angels come to worship the newborn king.
During this part of the production, some of the actors bust out these banners. They’re huge and decorative, but that’s not why they catch my eye.
They catch my eye because they shout, “King of Kings!” and “Lord of Lords!”
Something lights in my soul when I see those banners proclaiming such truth.
Banners have another use as well, especially in battle.
In Ann Spangler’s Praying the Names of God, she says that “a banner carried at the head of an army or planted on a high hill [serves] as a rallying point for troops … Because they [embody] the ideas and aspirations of whoever carried them, banners [arouse] devotion to a nation, a cause, or a leader.”
So let me ask: What banner are you flying?
It’s crucial for us to know the answer to this question, because our banner stands between us and the battles in our life.
Who does your banner embody?
Is it Yahweh Nissi (The Lord My Banner)?
Or is it someone—or something—else?
If it’s Yahweh Nissi, then there’s no need to fear the battle, whether it be with actual enemies like those who want to harm us, or with confused souls who mock our faith, or even with the sin that tries to overtake us.
His banner strikes fear into the hearts of our enemies—but only if we hold it up.
Are we living the kinds of lives worthy of The Lord Our Banner? Are we representing Him well? Are we doing all we can to fight sin in the name of our King?
Or have we decided the banner is too heavy to carry? That we no longer believe what it stands for? Have we simply grown lazy, complacent?
Or are we running from the battle, afraid?
Be encouraged! His banner goes before you.
Fear not, because HE goes before you.
Your Turn: How has the Lord been Yahweh Nissi in your life?
Thank you for the reminder, Lindsay that His banner goes before me — that He goes before me — and that I do not have to be afraid.
I need the reminder too, Beth. For sure.
You know what your post made me realize, Linds? How easy it is to let the banner of my life revolve around me. It might say "writer" or "nonprofit PR girl" or "caffeine addict." Regardless, it's me in a ridiculous attempt at waving my own banner…rather than letting myself be wrapped in HIM as my banner. His is so much better…
Lovin' this series, as always!
Yes, yes, yes! I so often am tempted to make my identity–the banner I raise–be about what I do, not who I serve.
I love this post, Linds! It reminds me of that song as I sang as a little kid: "His banner, over me, is love." 🙂
Love those words. He not only fights for us, but loves us with intensity.
This post is both convicting and endearing. He has been my banner, loving, constantly loving even in my weakest moments.
~ Wendy
Constantly loving. I love that about Him. He's been that for me too.
I have to confess and say I don't always hold up my banner. Lately I've been allowing fear to go before me instead of God. Thanks for the reminder of having His banner go before me.
I don't either, Lisa. I don't either. But He forgives me, and sometimes even helps me hold it up.
I went to the Christian Coalition rally in Washington, D.C. a few years ago and about a dozen people came into the convention hall with huge banners during praise and worship – these things were massive. I remember having an overwhelming feeling of confidence and strength when I saw them. They proclaimed Who and What I am fighting for – and they proclaimed it loudly. This could have been any convention, but those banners loudly declared why we were there.
My blog has become a banner for me – a banner proclaiming my faith in God. Before starting my blog I was a fairly vocal Christian, but I rarely wrote about my faith. Now I know my 500+ Facebook friends, many of them friends from my past and family members, have no doubt that I am a Christian. I declare it loudly three times a week. It hasn't always been easy to hit publish on some of my more posts – but I know that God wants me to wave this banner freely and openly.
Isn't it cool how social media has changed the way we can hold up His banner? Of course, we have always been able to wave it for people we interact with in everyday life, but the ability to influence those we don't even know or have never even met? Both amazing and frightening at the same time.
It is always important to declare loudly who we are and to Whom we belong! I love the visual of our banner being a rallying point for all believers to unite in bettle!
Great reminder!
I love that visual too. So powerful!
Great reminder! I love exploring all of God's names, somehow it magnifies his majesty and everything he is to us. 🙂 love this one!
Totally agree, Amy. This Name is just so full of…power. Thanks for visiting!