When the enemy comes in like a flood,
the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
ISAIAH 59:19

LIFTING A STANDARD

Although I have loved this scripture for years and often turned to it when in trouble or feeling overwhelmed (like now), I have had only a slight idea what "lifting a standard" means. I know what it means for the enemy to come in like a flood though! And I have stood on the scripture and experienced the Lord's intervention on my behalf. But now I feel a need to have a deeper understanding of what this term means. So let's look at it together and see what we find.

A MILITARY TERM

The Online Etymology Dictionary tells us that the word "standard" was first used in a military context to mean a flag or other conspicuous object that served as a rallying point for a military force. The word first meant to "stand hard" or "stand fast and firm."

The American Heritage Dictionary says that a standard is "an emblem or flag of an army raised on a pole to indicate the rallying point in the battle. It can also be "the colors of a mounted or motorized unit."

PROTECTION, AID, COMFORT & PEACE

When I'm in trouble I am glad that God digs in with me and "stands hard." But my favorite definition of God's standard is found in Unger's Dictionary. It is this: "God's lifting or setting up a standard implies a peculiar presence, protection, and aid in leading and directing his people in the execution of His righteous will and giving them comfort and peace in His service."

Did you get that? When under attack, we can receive his:

1. Peculiar presence (his own unique presence)
2. Protection
3. Aid (help)
4. Direction in doing what he sees as right and serving him in our situation
5. Comfort
6. Peace

WHAT IS OUR PART?

Notice our scripture says he is the one who lifts a standard against our enemy. What is our part? It is seen in the following verse:

And the Redeemer shall come to Zion,
and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.
ISAIAH 59:20

Our God rallies to battle on our behalf when we have a heart that is open to repentance, when we are willing to turn from our way to his and serve him. Yeah, God!

To illustrate this scripture, I have chosen to use the Christian flag. It was conceived over 100 years ago at Brighton Chapel, Coney Island, New York by Charles C. Overton. The white on the flag represents purity and peace. The blue stands for faithfulness, truth, and sincerity. Red, the color of sacrifice, brings to mind the blood shed by Christ on Calvary, represented by the cross.