Keep The Flag Flying!

by R. Darke | Category: General | Jan 1969

When Rahab asked the spies for "a true token ", she requested something which would indicate visibly to everyone that she and her family would be saved when Jericho was invaded. For that is what the word " token " means, - " a flag fluttering in the breeze, a signal, a beacon, or a monument". So this courageous woman, who was miraculously translated from the line of judgement to the royal line of Judah, hung high in the window of her house a scarlet thread, which was a piece of the rope used to let down the spies over the wall to safety. Rahab hung the thread for all to see, and she was not ashamed of its testimony. If any enquired of the reason for the scarlet thread, Rahab would boldly testify of its promise of deliverance from judgement because of her faith in the living God of heaven. She not only raised her flag, but virtually testified to the power and protection provided by Jehovah-nissi, which means "The LORD is my banner".

This New Year of 1969 is going to test the courage of God's people, and we are going to be challenged, perhaps as never before, as to the faithfulness of our testimony to God's way of salvation, and the truth of His house. What is our reaction going to be? Rahab did not hide her light under a bushel, and neither did Moses following the vital battle with Amalek, which typifies victory through prayer. After Joshua had prostrated (Exodus 17.13, R.V. marg.) the enemy with the edge of the sword, Moses built an altar and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi, "The LORD is my banner". This was no ordinary heap of stones, but a visible witness to all around that Jehovah is the victorious One

Another of God's people who confirmed through experience that the LORD was his banner was the young warrior David, who publicly testified to the great enemy Goliath, and the mighty Philistinian host, that "the battle is the LORD'S

Many were the battles which David fought for his LORD, and after attributing victory to help received from the sanctuary, and support from Zion, he exclaimed with triumph, " In the name of our God we will set up our banners" (Psalm 20.5). Like Paul, he wanted everyone to know that "it is God that giveth us the victory". When the camp of Israel was pitched in the desert sands of Sinai, the ensigns of the twelve tribes flew bravely in the wind as a united testimony of a strong, virile nation which acknowledged Jehovah-nissi as their divine Leader and Protector. What joy those banners gave to the mighty God of battles, Jehovah-nissi!

Now what of ourselves who in this twentieth century are in God's house? Are we contending earnestly for the Faith, which was once for all delivered to the saints? Are we in the front line of the battle? Is our flag flying triumphantly? Or are we like Ephraim turning back in the day of battle and allowing the flag to drag in the mud? Our God is looking for the Mr Valiants-for-the-Truth who, in this modern age, are prepared to play their part in helping to stem the tide of apostasy by fighting the good fight of the Faith. The coming of the Lord is near, and how it would cheer His heart to see His people looking "forth as the morning ... terrible as an army with banners" (Song of Songs 6.10). This is no time for despair, discouragement or defeat. Rather should we be buckling on the armour of God, grasping the sword of the Spirit, and in the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace, entering the battle with the enemy, assured, as young David was, that victory belongeth unto the LORD. What if we

"See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on;

Mighty men around us falling, Courage almost gone!"

Let us also

"See the glorious banner waving

Hear the trumpet blow!

In our Leader's Name we'll triumph

Over every foe!"

The battle we are in today as soldiers of Jesus Christ is a continuation of the one which has been fought by men and women of God down through the centuries, and many are the names written on the divine scrolls of honour because they overcame. And we must not fail even though the battle might rage fierce and long, but rather let us " Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God" (2 Samuel 10.12). Lift high the royal banner, and may it be said of us, too, that we have "fought the good fight ... finished the course ... kept the Faith; henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness. " (2 Timothy 4.7,8). In 1969 let us make "Jehovah-nissi our watchword until He come.

R. Darke | Jan 1969
General