FLAG DAY – NEWSPAPER ARTICLE FOR 6/10/20
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day in America to celebrate the anniversary of the creation of the what is called the Stars and Stripes. It was, in fact, that on June 14, 1777 that the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white”, and “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation. One of the major considerations in establishing a national flag was to provide a banner to be carried into battle by American troops during the American Revolution.
“Words from Above” in the Bible tell us that banners were used for in the Bible for three main purposes: to identify a group, to claim a possession or territory, and to lend festivity to a celebration. After Israel defeated the Amalekites in battle, Moses celebrated the victory by building an altar called “The Lord is My Banner”. Song of Solomon 2:4 speaks of a woman being taken into the banqueting house, saying that “His banner over her is love.”
Banner are raised in celebration and possession, to demonstrate God’s presence, and to declare the name of Jesus before mankind and before the powers of darkness. Banners declare the dominion of the Lord and claim spiritual territory, and they usher in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 66:2 declares that banners bestow honor and make praise glorious. Just as we communicate our feelings to our heavenly Father in prayer, we can also express our heart to Him through worship with banners. Banners can also represent God’s love, mercy, truth, healing, and more. They can also be powerful weapons against the enemy of our souls, to knock down strong-holds of human reasoning and destroy false arguments, as we are told in II Corinthians 10:4.
Of course, we are not fighting spiritual battles with banners, but rather we are raising a banner in glory to the Lord to proclaim honor to the King of Kings, who has already won all of our battles. As we are told in II Chronicles 20:14, 15, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, because of the vast army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Psalm 20:5 says, “We will sing for joy over the Lord’s victory, and in the name of our God we will set up banners.”
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
