PRESSING ON TO HIGHER GROUND
Part 7

“In the name of our God, we will set up our banners.”
(Psalm 20:5).

 

We are now up to Point No. 7 as we press on to higher ground.

7. LIFT UP YOUR HEART

Lamentations 3:41: “Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”

I love that this Scripture talks about lifting up our heart and our hands. To lift up our hands without our heart being involved is meaningless. But to lift up our heart with our hands is very meaningful. It gives action to what is in our hearts and God loves to see that.

Job 11:13 (NLT): “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer!”

8. LIFT UP YOUR PRAYERS

What does it mean to lift up our prayers? We pray quietly in our hearts of course and we do this so many times throughout the course of the day, don’t we? Especially as mothers we are continually praying for wisdom and seeking God’s guidance as we mother and nurture our children.

But there are times to lift up our prayers. We are so desperate that we must give voice to them. We also lift up our prayers when praying with others so they can join with us and say Amen to what we are praying.

Isaiah 37:4: “Lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.”

1 Timothy 2:8: “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or doubting.”

In the Bible, lifting up the palms or hands is a metaphor for prayer.

9. LIFT UP YOUR BANNERS

A banner is not meant to drag in the dust. It is meant to fly high! It is a sign of victory. It is a warning to the enemy. It is a proclamation of truth.

Psalm 60:4 says: “Thou has given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.”

God has given us truth in His word, and He wants us to display it, not hide it under a bushel. We must continually lift up the banner of God’s truth—to our children and to whoever will listen to us.

Isaiah 13:2: “Lift up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them . . .”

Jeremiah 50:2 (BSB): “Announce and declare to the nations, lift up a banner and proclaim it, hold nothing back . . .”

Isaiah 59:19: “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”

We read an amazing description of the bride of Christ in Song of songs 6:10: “Who is this that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, terrible as an army with banners.” This is not the picture we would equate with a bride, is it? But this is how God sees His church, the bride of Christ. This is a picture of an army marching to battle with their banners lifted high. They are not retreating. They are on the attack. They are a scary sight as they push back the enemy.

Let’s look at some other translations:

HCSB: “awe-inspiring as an army with banners.”

CJB: “formidable as an army marching under banners.”

ESV: “awesome as an army with banners.”

Banners are a sign of victory. They reveal what we believe and what we stand for. God is a banner holder. One of His salvation names is Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord is my banner (Exodus 17:15).

He wants us to hold up our banners too. We must be banner holders in our homes. Holding God’s truth high. Never letting it fall to the ground. Are you holding the banner of truth high, mother? This takes purpose, tenacity, and strength. Never let the enemy grab your banner, carrying it off and laughing in your face. Keep standing strong in this evil day and “having done all, stand” with your banner lifted high.

You are the protector of your home front. You are not cowardly hiding from the enemy. You are waving your banners high. You will not allow the enemy to come against your marriage, to woo your children from the truth, or to enter your home. The only way you see the enemy is a foe to be utterly defeated and routed.

Let’s be banner waving mothers . . .

Holding up the banner of truth against all deception.

Holding up the banner of love against all bitterness and hate.

Holding up the banner of righteousness against all evil.

Holding up the banner of purity against all immorality and uncleanness.

Holding up the banner of unity against all dissension and strife.

Holding up the banner of contentment against all discontentment.

Holding up the banner of faithfulness against all faithlessness.

Holing up the banner of motherhood against all counterfeits of Satan.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

“Dear Father, please help me to hold the banners of Your truth high. Save me from compromise. Give me courage to stand strong even when others are caving in all around me. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I am a banner holding, banner waving mother. Look out world!