(PSALM 60:4) "Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth."
The "banner" referred to in this passage is the Messiah. In the Lord Jesus Christ we find the key to the prophecy of this Psalm. Christ is declared in Psalms 23:5, to be Jehovah Nissi, "The Lord my banner." The banner is no other than the Lord Jesus Christ in the majesty of His person, the efficacy of His merit, the completeness of His righteousness, the sureness of His victory, and in the glory of His advent.
No doubt there was a time when the flag had more meaning than in modern times. But we still speak with love and respect for our flag. "It still waves," means more than it flapping in the breeze. In the old times the flag was lifted up and displayed as a point of union for the troops. When a leader wanted to gather the troops, he raised the flag. Men fought the enemy around the flag. Christ is the point of union for all the soldiers of the cross. We gather around the person and work of Christ. The Cross is our guide. There is no fear it will ever fail. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And as the flag, this is what the enemy hates the most. Christ has always been the object of attack, but He will never fail. Every time the Gospel is preached in the power of God's Spirit, it is as though an alarm goes off waking up all the demons of Hell. Every message of the Gospel says Christ is still saving His people, Christ is still tearing down the strongholds of His enemies, Christ is still proclaiming Himself Master of this world. If you want to defy Satan, preach Christ and Him crucified. Preach the sufferings of the Saviour. Tell sinners "there is life in a look at the Crucified One."
Most religions never have a run-in with the devil, because they do not preach Christ, but let a person proclaim the power of Christ Jesus alone to save, and all the demons of Hell will rise up against him. The fact that this banner still waves is the assurance that the victory is ours.
We esteem the Gospel of Christ precious, because of the God who gave it to us. But this banner is not precious to all, but "to those who fear Him." The Lord God of Heaven has a chosen people, and they are known by this one distinguishing mark, "They fear Him." Men must fear God or they are not worthy to bear this banner of Christ. Never be ashamed to bear this banner. When you are attacked or surrounded by wickedness, lift up this banner.
If you want the flag to wave, you must have wind. If we want this Gospel which we preach, this Gospel which we hear, to have some effect on us and others who hear it, it must be breathed on by the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is that gracious wind who will make the truth apparent in the hearts of those who hear it. If not, it will hang like a flag on a still day. It is still the flag in all its glory, but the world does not see it, but you let a wind come along and every one sees the flag. This banner of Christ proclaims liberty for all, so come, take refuge under it.
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