Standard-Bearers.
"Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee."--Ps. lx. 4.
Then what is your banner, and what are you doing with it? For if you are
among "them that fear" God, He has given you a banner "that it may be
displayed." Is yours furled up and put away in a corner, so that nobody
sees it or knows of it? Or are you trying to be a brave little
standard-bearer of Jesus Christ, carrying His flag, so that the sweet
breezes of His Spirit may lift its bright folds, and show its golden
motto? That motto, I think, is "Love." For we are told that His banner
over us is love. Are you displaying it, showing your love to Him by your
love to others? showing the power of His love over you by your sweet,
happy temper, and by trying to please Him always?
Carrying a banner means something. First, it means that you belong to or
have to do with those whose banner you carry, and that you are not ashamed
of them. At great Sunday-school festivals we know to which school a boy
belongs by the flag that he carries. You would like to carry the flag of
England or the Queen's royal flag, because you are English and loyal. So
let us carry the banner of Jesus Christ because we are loyal to Him, and
are not ashamed to own Him as our King. Secondly, it means that we are
ready to fight, and ready to encourage others to fight under the same
banner. When you are tempted to do something wrong remember whose banner
you carry, and do not disgrace it. If one does right, it makes it easier
for the other to do right too. Thirdly, it means rejoicing. You know how
flags are hung out on grand days, and carried in triumphal processions.
The little hand that carries Christ's banner through His war, will carry
it also in His triumph; the little hand that tries to unfurl it bravely
now, will wave it when His glorious reign begins and His blessed kingdom
is come. Then, "in the name of our God we will set up our banners" _now_!
"The Master hath called us, the children who fear Him,
Who march 'neath Christ's banner, His own little band;
We love Him, and seek Him; we long to be near Him,
And rest in the light of His beautiful land."