God My Banner
Joshua swung his blade over his head and delivered a lethal blow to the Amalekite in front of him. Breathing heavily, his arms sagged as he looked around at the chaos of battle. The clanging of metal filled his ears as a tornado of men swirled and kicked up dirt.
How could this rag-tag group of former slaves defeat an organized army?
He looked toward the hill behind him. At the top, Joshua could just make out Moses holding his staff toward the heavens.
The staff—it seemed to shine, as if radiating a golden light from within. Emblazoned across the blue sky, it stood as a banner, a trumpet sounding melodies of hope. It had been that same staff, endued with the power of God, which had parted the Red Sea as the Israelites defeated the Egyptians.
Joshua gripped the leather handle of his sword tighter once more. If God had been with Israel then, surely He was with them now.
Throughout the Bible, God is given many names which echo His character. In Exodus 17, after the Israelites defeat the Amalekites in battle, Moses built an altar and called its name Jehovah-Nissi, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner.
But how does a banner represent and embody God? Is He flimsy and moved around by every breath of air? Not so much.
A banner, standard, pennant, flag, insignia—whatever you want to call it—has been used throughout history. Being raised in Egypt, Moses would have been familiar with the Egyptian army, who used wooden standards to signify different divisions on the battlefield, as well as to represent a fighting spirit.
Banners are powerful symbols of victory, hope, and strength. They can also signify belonging, faith, community, glory, and achievement.
“May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners!”
-Psalm 20:4-5
Think of the soldiers at Iwo Jima who raised the American flag after five weeks of battle, a baseball team winning the pennant, a college graduation processional being led with a banner, or a knight entering the arena with his coat-of-arms.
The significance of a banner, especially a star-spangled one, can even inspire songs.
Our national anthem was penned during the Battle of 1812, as Francis Scott Key watched one night as British forces hailed down a red glow of cannon fire upon Fort McHenry. But at “the dawn’s early light,” the stars and stripes still waived over the fort. American forces had held on through the night and emerged victorious.
Likewise, in your darkest moments, God will always be the flag still standing at dawn. Just look unto Him as your source of hope. Because try as he might, the devil can never capture this flag.
As in that first battle for the Israelites after the Exodus, God is on our side, fighting with us today. His spirit is our “team logo” embroidered upon our hearts and signifying our power and authority. He is our rallying point of hope, inspiration, and strength to accomplish His plan on the earth.
His name is our banner, forever raised on high, waiving in the winds of victory.