Banner Of Truth
Updated: Mar 1, 2023
Many SIGNS point us in various directions in life. A multitude of VOICES call out to us to follow them and be like them, promising happiness, success, long life, etc. But only ONE BANNER OF TRUTH can truly make good on all of those claims and much, much more!
We have been learning that our Creator has communicated with us about Himself and His world very plainly. He didn’t leave us in the dark about the things He wants us to know. Jesus informed us that God is a loving heavenly Father and that Holy Spirit is our Helper and Teacher (Matthew 23:9; John 14:26). There has been mainly one Scripture that I feel Holy Spirit is speaking to me for this post. Here is Psalm 60:4 in several translations:
(NASB) You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah
(CJB) To those who fear you because of the truth you gave a banner to rally around, (Selah)
(YLT) Thou hast given to those fearing thee an ensign. To be lifted up as an ensign Because of truth. Selah.
(AMP) You have set up a banner for those who fear You [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder--a banner to shield them from attack], A banner that may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
The Hebrew word for “banner” is: SH5251 Noun Masculine “nes” (nace)=a standard, ensign, signal, sign. The words in the NASB, “That it may be displayed,” are from: SH5127 Verb “nus” (noos)=to flee, escape. This verb occurs 159 times in the Hebrew, but this is the ONLY time translations have it saying to “display.” I think it’s easy to understand that BANNERS do just that. In a biblical context, ensigns, or standards (banners) were probably posted in the ground, and they marked the tribal territory and displayed where the individual tribes were gathered, etc. The LORD declares to Moses and Aaron in Numbers 2:2 (NASB): "The sons of Israel shall camp, each by his own flag, with the banners of their fathers' households; they shall camp around the tent of meeting at a distance..." The banner was a mark of family identity, inheritance promised, care provided, and much more. However, every other time this “nus” word is used in the Bible, it is speaking about fleeing or escaping from danger or trouble, etc.
Keeping that also in mind, the idea is that through the fear of the Lord, the way for our safe rescue is displayed, and we rally to Him. We run to His banner of protection for us, “because of the truth.” When we show honor and reverence and holy submission to our loving Lord and King--seeking Him first--we escape the traps and snares of lies of the enemy. It has already been written that Jesus is “grace AND truth” (John 1:14). Who wouldn’t want to rally around and submit underneath the banner of our Savior who has already given us Himself, the promise of eternal life with Him, and everything that He owns!?! Jesus told us Himself that He is “...the way, and the truth, and the life,” and that “no one comes to the Father” but by Him (John 14:6 - NASB). His banner points the way to Him and the Father. When we love “the way, the truth, and the life,” we have identity in Him as followers of “grace and truth.” Remember from “Truth Talk With Jesus” that we always get the truth from our Lord’s words? And He promises that He is “the way.” We aren’t lost anymore, and we have the everlasting life that He promised. That life starts now, as we actively take refuge under His BANNER OF TRUTH. Not only that, but He has made us one with Him in His TRIBE OF TRUTH!
In “Will Not Be Moved” this month, we have learned that He keeps His covenant promises with us. God gives this banner promise to those who FEAR Him. Proverbs 9:10-11 (NKJV) says that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you...” The speaker in this passage is “wisdom” (vs. 1 ). She speaks about God’s three special words: wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (see my April 3, 2021 blog, “God’s 3 Little Words…” for more). Along with the blessings of possessing wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, “wisdom” promises that through her, our “days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to” US! That’s the LIFE that Jesus was promising to us in Himself. What a JOY and SECURITY we have in His BANNER OF TRUTH.
Let’s continue to rally to Him first in all things, seeking His righteousness and His kingdom, knowing that “all things will be added” unto us as well (Matthew 6:33). The way, the truth, and eternal life is ours in Jesus Christ our Lord...what more could we ask for? So what do you think? Should we pray about who God is calling to join His TRIBE OF TRUTH? May we be ready every day, to point others to Jesus, our BANNER OF TRUTH! God bless and keep you until next time…
