Ensign: Flag Day

All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye. Isaiah 18:3


AN ENSIGN ON THE MOUNTAINS    14 June 2013


I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag and to the Savior for Whose kingdom it stands, one brotherhood uniting all Christians in service and love.


True, Flag Day here in the United States (from where I'm writing this) does not commemorate the Christian flag churchgoers may see on their right in a sanctuary. Ostensibly, the United States does not have a national religion. But it's important that this day, typically the little cousin in terms of the other patriotic holidays that get the big parades and ceremonies – think Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day – gets some regard. Without it, the others conceivably would not exist.


I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.   
   

Here's your history lesson for today: the Pledge of Allegiance was first written in 1892 and its text has been changed four times since then (the most recent addition's under God in 1954) while the text of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Christian Flag started with one version pre-1914 – sorry, I can't find an exact year – and depending on the church you go to varies slightly. I typed in the version up top that I grew up hearing and saying, and I know the original says one brotherhood uniting all mankind.


But after that, zilch. Depending on where you are, saying the pledge (or even knowing it) is almost a lost art, for various reasons. And they're not all bad, but consider that the reasons we say the Pledge are the same reasons we get together when a natural disaster strikes or choose to marry and are given in marriage. We don't like to be alone, we have to – whether we admit it or not – be part of something greater than ourselves. We want to believe we leave a mark behind, more so than just we were here.


Little wonder that Jesus sent out His original disciples after Nazareth two by two (AND gave them power over unclean spirits, per Mark 6:7) because not only is their safety in numbers but there's also power. Consider that the testimony of two or three witnesses is what's considered valid in the church, not simply hearsay (originally Deuteronomy 17:6, quoted by Jesus in Matthew 18:16) as a witness must SEE something wrong, and at least one other person must vouch for the event.


In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.


Sounds like our own Constitution's Sixth Amendment too … now before someone accuses me of being too jingoistic, consider that the verse I introduce every Ensign with deals with a flag; that's the older definition of “ensign”, not the lowest commissioned rank in a country's navy. Whoever in our lives lifts up the ensign on the mountains – in the context of Isaiah 18:3, it's the LORD Himself, but we could just as easily say it's the man or woman or child who calls us back to Him – is who we need to take seriously. Especially when we can have the best Counsel on our side!


It is who I need to take seriously, else this Flag Day or any other has no meaning. 


David


P.S. I write this weekly devotional to keep in touch with all of you in my address book, and I hope to be an encourager too! If you find that I’m not or you want me to get lost, just let me know, thank you!


We praise You, Lord, for this beautiful day You have given us! Please pray with me for the peace of Jerusalem on both sides of the fence and for physical and spiritual communities around our world.


Lord, we need Your strength to fight the natural disasters and human ills to ultimately treat the cause and not just the symptoms; until we who have power change, this world You have made us stewards of won’t either.


Thank You, Lord, for all those in leadership and service here and abroad. Thank You for the opportunities we have been given as well as the promise of new life through Your Son. And may we all seek and have a blessed week! Amen.