I read this morning in Romans 8 how all of creation is groaning until that day when Jesus returns and thus, how groaning is part of our normative experience, too (Rom. 8:19-23). And yeah, while I believe that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18), it doesn’t change the fact that there are still the “sufferings of this present time.” So, what do we do in this present time? What do we do in the meantime until the end-time when Jesus receives us into His very presence for all time beyond time? David the lyricist provided some helpful coaching this morning.

You have made Your people see hard things;
       You have given us wine to drink that made us stagger.
You have set up a banner for those who fear You,
       that they may flee to it from the bow.                      Selah

(Psalm 60:3-4 ESV)

If God is a sovereign God (and He is), then He is just as much the Author of hard things as He is the good things. Not only, as the southern gospel song goes, is He the God of the mountains, but He’s also God of the valleys. Or, as Isaiah puts it: He who forms light also creates darkness; He who makes well-being also creates calamity; for He is the LORD “who does all these things” (Isa. 45:7). But the One who serves up wine to drink that make us stagger, is also the One who has set up a banner to flee to.

And that’s what — I mean, who — I’m thinking on this morning. A Banner . . .

God revealed Himself to Moses as Jehovah-Nissi, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner (Ex. 17:15).

A banner for those who fear Him. Something lifted up. A standard raised. A rallying point lifted up for those who are taking it in the teeth and need a refuge to which to retreat. For those who need a defender to bring to bear a defense. For those who need a deliverer to bring deliverance. For those who need a conqueror to help them become more than conquerors.

God has set up a banner for when His people encounter hard things. The LORD Himself is our banner. Jesus is the banner lifted up.

Lifted up on cross, as was the serpent in the wilderness, that whoever flees to Him in faith may have eternal life (Jn. 3:14-15).

Lifted up from the earth — resurrected and ascended after dying on the cross — ready to draw all people to Himself (Jn. 12:32). Often drawing people to Himself through the hard things He’s made them see.

Our banner, set up for those ready to flee to Him.

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)

O, we can praise God for a banner! And even praise Him for the hard things that prompt us, and compel us, to know again the sweet refuge of fleeing to, and abiding in, His presence.

His banner over me is love (Song 2:4). And we know that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39).

A Banner.

The Son lifted up, the fountain of ever-flowing and over-flowing grace.

The Sovereign over all, worthy of ever-flowing and over-flowing glory.