He Will Lift Up A Standard! part 1

I am thankful today for the beginning of a new year. There is always a feeling of anticipation and maybe even apprehension as we look forward to this new beginning. I feel in my heart that there are battles ahead in which only the grace of God can sustain us. The devil is running rampant in our world and although conditions may appear bleak at times, Isaiah describes God's response when the enemy comes rushing in.

Isaiah 59:19, “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.”

In the Old Testament economy, a standard was the identifying colors of an army or kingdom. It was necessary to be able to identify allies and enemies. God's promise to Israel was that He would stand with them against His enemies. This is a necessary principle in our spiritual warfare today. God will set apart (sanctify) and identify as His the believers in His Kingdom. Over time the lines between the Kingdom of God and the system of the world have become blurred to the extent that it is difficult to determine who is on the Lord's side. It is time to be identified with true believers in the Kingdom of God.

Exodus 32:26, “Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.”

Upon returning from Mt. Sinai after his Divine encounter, Moses found that the Israelites had fallen into idol worship. Because Moses had delayed his return, they fell back into old habits, the idol worship of Egypt. The priesthood which was to be set apart (sanctified) for service to God had become co-conspirators in the deed. Aaron, the high priest himself, had supervised the task of building a golden calf statue and presented it to the Israelites. They failed miserably in their first attempt at freedom, exhibiting the actions of their old life in Egypt. But now, Moses had thrown down the gauntlet. It was time to decide who would follow God into their new life in Him.

The final choice was not made here. The Israelites continued to be called to accountability throughout their journey. On one particular occasion as they were preparing to enter the promised land of Canaan, Joshua presented them with the same challenge. Joshua 24:15, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Israel failed God many times but were given the opportunity to choose the right way. I think of the many individuals who died in the wilderness journey because of their disobedience. Here again they were called to accountability. It was time to choose. (continued part 2)