In Exodus 17:8-15, Amalek comes against the children of Israel. In short, when Moses held his hands up they would win; when his hands dropped they would lose. Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi - that is, The Lord my banner.
In essence when we lift up our hearts, our lives, our ministries, our children, our money, our every situation to God he will fight for us. When we pull them down and try to work out of lives on our own…we try to figure them out; (you know how we do, “…I got this Jesus, I can handle this…”) we do not value him, and he backs up. After we make a mess…then we want to cry out! And now ask for help again. The same actions we see from the children of Israel. God would bring them out of their adverse circumstances, and not long after that they would forget about him, and act a part from him. He would take them back into captivity/bondage and they would acknowledge him again and cry out. How many times has that been you?
According to Proverbs 3:5-7 we are to acknowledge him in everything that we do and he will direct our paths. There are so many instances in the Bible we can see God moving on the behalf of his people and all they had to do was trust in him. When we effectively raise the standard of Jesus we will always be victorious.
The Standard
Isaiah 59:19
"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."
Amplified "…the spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight [for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives]."
The word standard comes from the Hebrew word noos. It means to chase, deliver, (make to) flee, put to flight.
According to Webster's Dictionary standard means:
1.
A flag or banner used as an emblem of a military unit
2.Used as, or conforming to, a standard, rule, model
3. Generally accepted as reliable or authoritative
The standard drives out any alternative method, reasoning, idea, attack against the rule, or model or standard of how things are done for that place.
Think of the American Flag. It symbolizes what America stands for: freedom, unity, choice, the constitution, independence, etc. Anyone that sees the flag knows what this country's standard is. It is a model of our country. We are not allowed to desecrate it, as Americans we must respect the flag. And we demand that others respect it as well. It is what this country was founded on. People died for the flag, for the standard, for what those colors mean. There are millions of American flags but they all have the same standard; so when you see one, you can rely on what it symbolizes. When our flag is raised, it means the land that it is on believes in or follows that standard. So if another country wants to start trouble and they see the American flag, they must deal with the United States, if you ask why: it’s because of the standard.
In short the word of God is the standard...we must raise it in our lives, and we will see a difference only then! How can we know the standard if we don't have relationship with the standard? The only way to know something is to study, rehearse, engage it, question it, and spend time with it. How did you learn all you know? It took time. But you were diligent to learn whatever you know. Don't miss out on the real need.
I'll never forget recently at work, my boss looked at my work and he noticed I was doing really well in some areas I needed to focus on. I had to realize what was important for my job rather than what came easy or what I liked. The things I excelled at were good. But they didn't weigh as much in the matrix of my job as other areas. He said to me, "If you don't know the rules, how can you play the game?" And it helped me so much. Because when I knew what they expected I was able to focus on that and deliver. However, as long as I was just going along without checking the playbook I was not able to be as effective. We need to know the Word of God as our playbook, and get to know the author. He wants to lead us and guide us, but until we first acknowledge him and lift our hands toward him we will not reach our true level of potential.
The standard Jesus set for us will challenge us to be different, to let go of something’s to walk away from some people. In 2009, we must examine our lives and see what we are going to do or not do for the sake of the standard, and as Anointed said, for the sake of “The Call”. Jesus said in Matthew 10:38-39, 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Are you going to keep and hold onto what you think you need? Or give up everything and allow him to equip you with what you really need for the assignment he has given?
God bless you until the next edition, I encourage you in the mean time to check your playbook!
Let's Raise the Standard Together!
Brother Marlon
Brother Marlon is the host of Sunday Gospel heard on WAMO 106.7FM and 1510AM WPGR, in Pittsburgh, PA. He is also the host of the Total Access Gospel Countdown, a contributor for the Total Access Newsletter.
Brother Marlon is a husband, father, and ordained Minister. He is serious about the things of God and uses his gifts and abilities for the extension of the kingdom of God. His energetic style and sincere heart for God and his people cause many to see the light of Christ in the Earth. He believes people should strive for the blessing of God which comes through a true relationship with our source and our provider, Jesus Christ.
God has called Brother Marlon for such a time as this to be an effective answer in the Earth.
