February 21
My Banner Flies High
"Thou hast given a banner to those who fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth."
If you’ve ever watched an Olympic Opening Ceremony you perhaps can get a glimpse of the beauty a flag can have before the eyes of a patriot. With much pomp and circumstance, the athletes march proudly into the arena under the banner of their country. Cheers go up from their countrymen as they see their nation’s banner wave high before the masses of people. That banner is what unites them as a people. Under that banner they are no longer one but many; they are a body of souls uniting for a common purpose, to bring honor and glory to all that their banner stands for. Its heart moving to see so many, swept up in the moment of patriotism, moved to tears unashamedly. They are proud to belong to something greater than themselves and they display it unreservedly.
The flag is a symbol of victory in battle as the opposing forces fight fiercely to erect their country’s banner upon the highest point proclaiming their victory. One of the greatest stories any American child can be read is that of our nation’s independence. When we see Old Glory flying high above the sovereign plains of this great land we can’t help but think of liberty and freedom. The American flag waves atop Mount Everest, it stands proud and strong on the moon’s surface so even out in space it is marking the accomplishments of its patriots. The flag is how America signs her name; and the first to pen its great legacy was a woman by the name of Betsy Ross. Her life was one of triumph through adversity. She was disowned by the Quakers. She was widowed three times and had seven daughters, two of whom died in infancy. In church, her pew was right next to George Washington’s. Little did she know at the time that the flag she would sew for Continental Congress would become an enduring blueprint for her nation’s flag. In the year 1782, the Congress of Confederation chose the same colors from Betsy’s flag for the Great Seal of the United States. They listed the meaning of the colors as follows: white stood for purity and innocence, red for valor and hardiness and blue for vigilance, perseverance and justice.
Us History.org
In the war of 1812 against the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy in the Chesapeake Bay, Francis Scott Key witnessed the intense battle which took place. With the sound of mortar raging through the night, he had no idea if his people were able to ward off the power of the British fleet until the morning light. As the rays of sun began to peer upon the soil of Baltimore that morning, Key witnessed one of the most inspiring scenes any American could; old glory was still flying high as a symbol of victory; she had held strong through the night of war and come morning light she declared her stance for all to see. The American banner rallied the spirit of freedom that morning and we’ve not turned back sense. The power of a banner! It still stirs my heart whenever I see the American Flag or hear the Star Spangled Banner, the song penned by Francis Scott Key after seeing the flag still there!
What banner do you live under? What covering do you hide your life and the life of your family beneath? What does your life represent? Where is your allegiance? Where do you find hope when the battle is raging? What moves your heart to action? How can we endure even in the darkest of times when no hint of light is near? Can we prevail no matter the greatness of our opposition? We can as long as we know the One Who flies High over our lives! Make God the banner to which you live and breathe knowing that He is your hope, your courage, your cause and when the night has passed and the dust of finality settles as day break ushers in a new day; He will be there.
The night will never remove His presence.
Pearls of Grace is a book of devotions for the entire year, including a read through the Bible in a year calendar, broken down for every day. Beautifully written with encouraging words of hope and empowering words of joy and strength for every woman. Pam draws from the truth and richness of God's Word and gives real life examples in her down to earth style. A must have in your library, click here for more information.
For more from Pam Jenkins and Jabbok Ministries, please visit www.jabbokministries.com!
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