The Church's Banner
In November of last year, I wrote a hymn inspired by Psalm 20. On the way to my parents home for a Saturday evening dinner, my brain replayed the holy words from my morning reading, and began to churn into a tune. My sister assisted in organizing and refining the lyrics along with putting the music behind it. It is a simple song proclaiming an enormous reality.
“May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!/Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright” (Psalm 20:5, 7-8).
Psalm 20 was a battle hymn for God’s people as they fought off their physical enemies; Today, this Psalm is a battle hymn for God’s people as they fight for faith. The former and the latter each need the sovereign King of heaven to answer their call, strengthen their hearts, and deliver them from the enemy. No “chariots” or “horses” can be trusted to bring victory no matter how large in number they are. The faithful must turn to the Lord, not their assets, for assurance.
Specifically, the pinnacle of hope for God’s people both past and present is the name of God. His name embodies his glory, and throughout the Psalms and the entire Bible, the lifting up of God’s name is the end goal of all creation. Yahweh’s renown is the desire of his people’s hearts (Isaiah 26:8). At times of desperation, the name of God is found to be most glorious. It embodies his greatness in the midst of human smallness. When Christians have no more earthly shelter to stand under, the banner of the Lord flies high.
The hymn seems quite timely for this current moment in world history. People, even God’s people, are scared; Their governments are terrified, and all their earthly safety nets are being clipped with scissors. The wisdom of men is being made to look foolish. The Church is ruffled too and does not know how to truly trust God plus nothing. They mainly want chariots and horses galore, but, of course, with Jesus’ bumper sticker on the back.
As the abilities of men are being burnt like chaff in the face of an unseen virus, the children of the light should choose to signal trust and hope in the knowable God. The flag flown in the homes and communities of Christians should forecast assurance to a world that has none. There are no more tents to run to; the rest have been quarantined. The banner of our God flies alone. Will his people stand under it? His name stands ready to live up to all it proclaims.
Listen to the hymn sung by my sister here: The Church’s Banner. Lyrics below:
Verse 1
Some trust in chariots and horses
But our hope rests only where the Lord is
He’s in no tomb, he’s in no grave
He lives, he breathes, his kingdom now he reigns
Verse 2
Some boast in worldly wealth and wisdom
But our gain is Christ alone and all his riches
He’s in no tomb, he’s in no grave
He calls, he keeps, his sheep now he saves
Chorus
So raise a banner of his name on high
Don’t let the evil of our pride reside
Every man will fall and fail alone
Yet the church by His hand he will uphold
Verse 3
Some cling to kings and earthly rulers
But our allegiance is to king of kings named Jesus
He’s in no tomb, he’s in no grave
He was, he is, and will be evermore
Chorus
So raise a banner of his name on high
Don’t let the evil of our pride reside
Every man will fall and fail alone
Yet the church by His hand he will uphold
Verse 4
Some fear the coming sting of death
But through Christ that night will bring relief forever
Though bodies be entombed, and dust be in graves
We’ll rise with resurrection life that day
Chorus (2X)
So raise a banner of his name on high
Don’t let the evil of our pride reside
Every man will fall and fail alone
Yet the church by His hand he will uphold