When my dad got orders to Alaska, at age 12, I knew my lawn mowing and landscaping days were over. I worried about how I was going to earn my spending money. Fortunately within the first month of school I met a fellow whose dad was being transferred who had a paper route. I jumped on it right away. Unfortunately, he only had two weeks before he was leaving and the paper was only published once a week. For the next two Friday evenings I walked through the snow with him, mentally trying to link one house to the next in an effort to remember the 100 plus customers. I thought I was doing well, until the newspaper let me know people were not receiving their papers. As I added them back into the route, the “links” began to fall in place, but it took a while. Within a few months I was able to start working on building the customer base and adding new customers.
We, as believers, are blessed to have a big brother who will constantly be there to intercede, serve as an example, and insure we have the backup/support we need. It’s not a two week deal like the fellow from whom I obtained the paper route. So, when I see the Hebrew word Nissi associated with God, I think of Christ because He is the banner we are to follow. To the Israelites, a banner was the symbol of ultimate leadership. A banner was raised on a mountain or high place to rally the people and was used as a point of focus or object of hope. The Bible refers to Christ as our banner, the one object of our attention, and our common rallying point. Don’t let anyone distract you from the core truth of Jesus as Lord and the necessity of a personal relationship with Him. Our Messiah is referred to as a banner both prophetically (Isaiah 11: 10–12) and in references by John (3:14) and Paul (Philippians 2:9)
By focusing on Christ’s example He guarantees we will be cared for.(Matthew 6:33) If you keep Christ as your banner you will not fall into the common trap of embellishing your own works which can often lead to embarrassment. Following His ways will make your path straight. As Proverbs 3:5–6 says: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” That concept is profound if you think about the implications. How much easier is it to walk on a straight path than a crooked one? How much easier is it to drive on the interstate than through the winding back roads? Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought. Following the Son’s banner allows you simplicity and a lighter burden.
Your big brother carries the eldest son’s power to position you in the family where you can be a Kingdom asset. “Moreover, The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor The Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor The Father, who sent him.”(John 5:22–23) The more you halak with Christ and follow His example, the closer you are to becoming what The Father created you to be. As you move toward “completion,” you position yourself in a place of strength and power with Christ’s intercessory backup protecting you in all you undertake. Now, that’s what you call “being in the driver’s seat!”
Love, Dad