A Higher Standard

Today, let us remember our American citizens, families, and allies in Afghanistan, and continue to lift them up to the Lord in our prayers.  If anyone needs to know there’s a Battle Standard of the Hosts of Heaven, it is they.  Grace, Peace, and Mercy to them from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from Jesus Christ, our faithful witness.

So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun.  When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.  Isaiah 59:19 (KJV)

Many know of the most famous American battle standard, the Star-Spangled banner.  Sewn, not by Betsy Ross, but by American patriot Mary Young Pickersgill of Baltimore, and her 13-year-old daughter, Caroline, in the summer of 1813.  It was delivered to the U.S. Government in August of the same year, for $405.90. 

What the British Bombardment of Baltimore, the night of September 14, 1814, could not do to our Noble Banner, the years have. Souvenir seekers, mishandling, and age, have left it cut, clipped, and in deterioration.  The flag is currently under restoration in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. Restoration costs in 1999 were estimated at between $18-$25 million USD.

The Bible speaks of an eternal battle that is waged against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12, Daniel 10:12-13). There is a Righteous Standard raised against this evil onslaught and it proclaims “Redemption.”  Redemption of the human race, and heaven and Earth, to pristine and holy newness, where God comes down and lives among mankind (Isaiah 66:22, Revelation 21:1-3).  This banner will never wear out, nor will it fade or be rotted by the ravages of time.  It is the banner of the LORD of Hosts. The advance of this banner and this holy host may be withstood by a deluded enemy, but through the Power and Authority of its Commander, it can never be fully resisted.

At times it can feel as though you are trapped between heaven and hell, facing an onslaught by an invincible enemy. But just the moment you fear being overwhelmed, a Standard appears out of the smoke of battle, with a host who takes up the fight on your behalf, redeeming your time. It won’t be the Star-Spangled Banner raised to defy your enemy.  It will be the Banner Above the Stars, with the King and Commander of the Host of Heaven leading it.  It’s His highest Standard for you. Look up, Beloved!

Ken