Originally posted: 03/07/2019
Moses built an altar and named it The Lord is My Banner, (17:15).
In Old Testament times, rival nations raised their respective flags on the front lines as a bold declaration of which side they fought for. As the soldiers saw their own flag, they were reminded of the sovereign king they served and their personal allegiance and consecration to their king. The raised flag was meant to embolden the confidence they had placed in their king, instilling courage in their cause and ability to fight.
The Raised Banner of the LORD’s people was not fashioned of costly material, embroidered to reveal a king’s crest; the LORD Himself was to be His Banner Raised.
Consider His Banner Raised
- His Banner Raised … in places of testing ~
- Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water that we may drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” (17:2).
- His Banner Raised … before all people ~
- Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go,” (17:5).
- His Banner Raised … within His provision ~
- “Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink,” (17:6).
- His Banner Raised … through utter dependence ~
- So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed, (17:11).
- His Banner Raised … as a memorial of His supremacy ~
- Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven,” (17:14).
- His Banner Raised … by personal consecration ~
- Moses built an altar and named it The Lord is My Banner,” (17:15 emphasis added).
How are we to respond to His Banner Raised?
- When we find ourselves in places of testing, let us choose to fix our faith and attention on Him rather than the hardship, dependent on His Banner Raised.
- …fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith… (Hebrews 12:2).
- Others are watching. We certainly cannot determine their decisions, but living our lives under His Banner Raised reveals His mighty deeds and glorifies our Father in heaven.
- “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven,” (Matthew 5:16).
- Let us receive His provision by faith; Jesus Christ, His Banner Raised, Who alone satisfies our thirst.
- Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water,'” (John 7:37-38).
- In faith, let us depend on His Banner Raised, the strength of His might provided to fight our battles.
- Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm, (Ephesians 6:10-13).
- He has given us His Word to strengthen us for everything life brings. Let us cling to His Banner Raised through His established memorial, His very Word.
- My soul cleaves to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
26 I have told of my ways, and You have answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts,
So I will meditate on Your wonders.
28 My soul weeps because of grief;
Strengthen me according to Your word, (Psalm 119:25-28).
- My soul cleaves to the dust;
- Moses did not claim The LORD for everyone; he did not proclaim Him as “Our Banner.” “My Banner” was his personal declaration of consecration. We cannot rely on others to assist us in this. We must individually declare His Banner Raised by our personal surrender and humble consecration under His mighty and loving hand.
- Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you, (1 Peter 5:6-7).