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9th August 2024
FridayReflection
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'Becky Harlingr offers'
Crosswalk.com
Powerful Reasons to Proclaim 'God Is My Banner!' Today
you have raised a banner...Psalm 60:3-4
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Recently, I've had conversations with friends and family, all who know people who are walking through the wilderness of suffering: cancer, heartache over issues with kids, fractured marriages, and strained friendship.
The psalmist goes on to write:
But, for those who fear you, you have raised a banner... - Psalm 60:3-4
So, what comfort is a banner?
To understand the concept of the banner let's go to the first place in scripture where God is identified as "Jehovah Nissi," which means, "The LORD is my banner."
The children of Israel were on their way to the promised land when the Amalekites attacked.
Moses sent Joshua to lead the army into battle but told him that he would stand on the top of the hill overlooking the battle with his arms raised to the Lord.
As long as Moses kept his arms raised in worship, the Israelites were winning.
As a result, the Israelites defeated the Amalekites.
After the incredible victory experienced on the battlefield, Moses built an altar to the Lord and called it, "The LORD is my Banner" (Exodus 17:15).
As I've thought about this story, I realize it has huge implications for you and me today.
Many of Us Feel Like We're in the Wilderness
What exactly does it mean that the LORD is your banner today in your personal wilderness?
When troops went into battle, a banner was raised as a rallying point and proof of their purpose.
On the battlefield, soldiers could become easily confused and lose their sense of direction.
They would look for the banner as a focal point.
Sometimes, in the wilderness of our suffering, we become confused.
We feel lost. Questions pummel our minds. It's easy to become distracted and lose our focus.
God's purposes stand firm.
The author of Hebrews put it this way: "Fix your eyes on Jesus!".
As we keep our eyes fixed on our banner - Jesus - we are able to follow Him and His purposes.
When Joshua fought the Amalekites, Moses kept his arms lifted towards heaven in worship as a reminder to the people of Israel that God had not abandoned them!
By keeping his arms lifted towards heaven, Moses was honouring God as the ever-present One.
He promises that He will supply all our needs.
Sometimes, when the battle feels intense, we don't even know what we need.
We just know we feel desperate.
In those moments, Jehovah Nissi - Our Banner - is Jehovah Jireh - Our provider.
He is more than able to give exactly what we need to sustain us.
In the wilderness, when Moses felt so tired that his arms began to slip and fall, God provided Aaron and Hurr to sustain him by holding up his arms.
It's easy to fall into negative thinking and wonder, "Is evil winning?"
No! We are promised that our Jesus is and will be victorious!
I remember when my husband, Steve, was showing the Jesus film in Southern Sudan.
A crowd had gathered.
When the film came to the part where Jesus was being whipped, Steve heard a "click" and hundreds in the crowd ran for their lives.
There stood a soldier with tears streaming down his face and a gun pointed at the screen.
Steve went over to him and gently put his hand on the barrel of the gun to lower it.
He whispered, "It's okay. We win!"
The soldier put his gun away and fell to his knees sobbing.
He watched the rest of the movie in spellbound attention.
The troubles in your life might feel overwhelming. I have good news for you - we win!
We win because in Jesus, under His banner, we have protection from the enemy.
As He is victorious, we are victorious.
May I ask you: What's the battle you've been fighting recently?
Does the news have you feeling overwhelmed and defeated?
Jesus quietly whispers,
"My Beloved Child, it's okay! Keep your eyes on the banner.
My purposes stand firm, my presence goes with you, my provision is enough for you, and my protection will ultimately bring victory.
I am with you and for you.
We win!"
><(((°>
This is an edited version.
The full article is avaiable on request
Becky Harling
Authentic. Passionate. Funny and Biblical
A best-selling author, Becky is a popular speaker at conferences, retreats, and other events.
She is the author of 11 books, including Our Father, Psalms for the Anxious Heart, How to Listen so Your Kids Will Talk, The Extraordinary Power of Praise, and her newest book, Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World.
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