And in the name of our God, we will set up our banners! Psalm 20:5 NKJV
I ran across the following quote in a bible, “Every battle is won before it’s ever fought.” This quote is from The Art of War by Sun Tzu, one of the most well renowned books in existence. But King David, who lived hundreds of years before Sun Tzu, had already penned this wisdom for us.
Psalm 20 is a prayer before battle. A careful reading reveals they are setting the banner before the battle. Jewish law required soldiers to dedicate themselves to the Lord before going to war. Perhaps these men recalled the words from Deuteronomy 20, “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you.” (v. 1)
This morning my husband went outside for his predawn time of prayer and worship. And he very nearly found himself in a battle he had not prepared for. In the dark, he was watching the stars and talking to His Father when a skunk ran in front of him, missing his feet be mere inches. In close pursuit of the skunk came our dog. This is probably the same skunk that had sprayed my dog a few days before, causing an unplanned trip to town for a de-skunking dog wash.
My husband stays armored up spiritually and is ready to do all kinds of battle at a moment’s notice, but being caught in the line of fire between a skunk and a dog wasn’t a situation he was ready for. The skunk didn’t spray, and the dog obeyed my husband when he called him off the chase. Crisis avoided.
Battle Prep
There are battles in life we know to prepare for . . . our parents pass away, our children grow up, we age. And there are battles that Jesus says will come, but we act as though by not thinking about them, they won’t come to us.
We plan for the possibility of traffic, foul weather, and mortgage payments.
But we are blindsided by a diagnosis, job loss, or prodigal child. Suddenly we find ourselves in a battle we never expected on a battlefield that seems totally foreign to us. And the only banners we are flying are the banners of fear or guilt or defeat.
We see the “horses and chariots and people” are more numerous than we are. These problems are too big, the mountains too insurmountable, the journey too painful. Or maybe it’s our lack that we see. And up goes the wrong banner.
Jesus told us in this world we will have trouble (see John 16:33). It shouldn’t be a surprise to us when we do. He goes on to say we should take heart because He has overcome the world.
He’s telling us “in the name of our God” to go ahead and set the banner.
If you say this is easier said than done, I’ll be the last to argue with you. It’s hard. And without the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, it might very well be impossible.
Take a stand
But with God all things are possible. (see Matthew 19:26)
Our health is failing? Set the banner.
Our loved one is lost? Set the banner.
Our world is in chaos? Set the banner.
Good is called evil and evil good? Set the banner.
The Lord our God is with you. The victory is yours.
Lori’s second novel, A Far Way to Run, released in May 2022 to critical acclaim. In between writing, Lori enjoys traveling with her husband and visiting her adult children. She rummages through their refrigerators and food pantries while complaining there’s nothing good to eat here. Lori podcasts with her husband, the excellent My Mornings with Jesus and Joe.
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Good word, Lori! As an experienced Banner “waver” I’m convicted to be certain that what I wave is “two-sided”! Not only proclaiming His truth for the world to see but to myself as well! Placed before my eyes, a reminder of His truth, His promises.. Proverbs 4:21-23 Thank you ❤️
Good word, Chandra! We need to make sure we are waving that two-sided banner. Thanks for sharing this wisdom!
Such a good piece. I love the notion of a banner above all I do. Setting one over each day makes so much sense… I feel like we do so much stealthily, but raising a banner shows our allegiance and our authority
Thanks you so much
Great point, Catherine! I love that setting the banner over our day shows our allegiance and our authority. Well said! Thank you.
Had to share this post. It’s a great reminder to set our banner ahead of the battle. Can you share some ways we can “set a banner?”
Great question.
Jan, thanks for sharing and for the great question. For me, “setting the banner” means claiming God’s promises over whatever difficulty I am facing. I ask the Holy Spirit to show me the truth in Scripture , then I write them down and post them where I can not only see them, but speak them out loud as often as necessary. Speaking them out loud lets the enemy know he can’t bully me into defeat because I know what God says about the victory and I’m claiming it in the face of adversity. Sometimes a good praise and worship song helps as well. I hope this helps you, but most importantly, I want you to know that God will help you set that banner!
Thank you – I needed that today
Me too.
Thanks for your comment, Mark. I’m glad it resonated with you. It’s something I need to remind myself almost daily! Blessings.
Thank you for the reminder! It’s been a rough 2024 so far. But God is good and always present.💙
Amen to that. He is good in all things. Sending hugs and praying.
He is! Thanks for responding Becky. I’m so sorry 2024 has been rough. I have prayed for you to be strengthened in “setting the banner” firmly, and that the sorrow of the first part will be redeemed with joy in the coming months.