Are You a Standard Bearer?
Becca Card
September 4, 2019
Isaiah 59:16-19
16 – He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore, His own arm brought salvation for him; And His own righteousness, it sustained him.
17 – For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
18 – According to their deeds, accordingly He will re
pay, Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies; The coastlands He will fully repay.
19 – So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
The Hebrew expression in this verse from Isaiah is rich with meaning. The root “nus” (from the expression “raise up a standard”) is related to or sounds like numerous words which mean “sign”, “miracle”, “to drive away”, “to flee”, “cause to disappear”, “a waving flag”. This abundance of meanings in Isaiah’s poetic style reveals the multiple dimensions of Yahweh’s revelation; in this case, the way he deals with evil. The assertion in this word is that the Spirit of Christ will be powerfully activated when evil comes.
When the enemy comes in, like a flood the LORD raises a standard against him. The clear meaning and promise is that the presence of evil will not go unnoticed. God will respond powerfully, in His own way, and in His own time.
We’ve often talk about the increase of wickedness in these last days; virtually every day some new scandal appears. Evil is on the rise; its power is being consolidated in many areas of social, political, and personal lives. Our identification with the one true God/Yahweh who raises His standard in response to this wickedness, calls us to be His “standard bearers” in the midst of the evil around us. This is not easy but is a high calling for faith-filled and disciplined saints.
Our challenge now, more than ever before, is, do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. We cannot bear Christ’s standard if we yield to become like the world around us. Only by abiding, praying, staying close to Him, can we represent our Lord.
Let’s be faithful to encourage one another, daily.