I love our flag and respect all it stands for. In fact, while we were on our get-away I bought another flag, but this one is crafted in wood. It’s beautiful.
Since today is flag day, I look in the Bible to find a correlation. Sure enough, it was there. In the book of Exodus and also in Psalms.
The people of Israel were being attacked by the Amalekites. They were a fierce army. Moses told Joshua to choose some fighting men and go out to battle. Moses observed the battle from a hill top. He told Joshua he would take the walking stick that the Lord had given him, which he had used to perform many miraculous things.
As long as Moses held the stick in the air the Israelites were winning. As the day wore on, Moses became tired and his arms started to droop. That’s when Aaron and Hur stood on each side of Moses and held his arms in the air. This is what Moses said when the battle was over.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write about this battle. Write these things in a book so that people will remember what happened here. And be sure to tell Joshua that I will completely destroy the Amalekites from the earth.’
15 Then Moses built an altar and named it, “The Lord is My Flag.” 16 Moses said, “I lifted my hands toward the Lord’s throne. So the Lord fought against the Amalekites, as he always has.” Exodus 17:14-16 ERV
I have heard it said that the Lord is the light at the end of the tunnel. I tend to disagree with that statement. The Lord IS the light in the tunnel and He has promised to lead us to the end.
“May God do what you want most and let all go well for you. 5 Then you will win victories, and we will celebrate, while raising our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers!” Psalm 20:4-6
The term Jehovah Nissi, which Moses used in Exodus, literally means “the Lord is my banner”.
When soldiers go out to fight, they carry the banner of the country they represent. When we go out against our enemies – physical, spiritual or emotional – we should always carry the banner of who we represent.
A young shepherd boy knew that when he faced a giant named Goliath.
“Everybody here will see that the Lord doesn’t need swords or spears to save his people. The Lord always wins his battles, and he will help us defeat you. 48 When Goliath started forward, David ran toward him.” I Samuel 17:47-48 CEV
It’s Flag Day – raise your banner high!