Safe and Secure

This must be one of the best-known verses in The Song of Songs. The young woman – the Shulammite – is enjoying a time of intimacy with her lover, the Shepherd. It’s like a feast! And over them is a banner, the banner of his love.

When the Israelites were journeying through the wilderness to the Promised Land, every time they set up camp, they would put up their banners. Each tribe had its own banner, as did each family (Numbers 2:2). The encampment was huge, but you could never get lost. If you knew what your tribe’s banner looked like, and you could recognise your family banner, even a child would find home, family, and safety.

In battles, banners were important too. They marked where the leaders were, and where the rallying-points were. Even in battle, they indicated not just safety, but where the authority, the leadership was.

There was a famous occasion when Israel first encountered serious opposition as they journeyed to the Promised Land (Exodus 17:8-16). As Joshua led the army in battle against the Amalekites, Moses stood on a hill overlooking the battle, with his arms raised. As long as he kept his arms raised, the Israelites prevailed and, in the end, were victorious. He was acknowledging that, ultimately, it was God fighting the battle. Moses built an altar there and named it ‘The Lord is my Banner’.

Throughout Scripture, raising your arms in prayer and worship was an acknowledgement that all the authority belonged to God. And when you put yourself under His lordship, you’re in the safest of safe places - you’ve put yourself under His banner. This is where you truly belong. As you experience His love, you know, deep within your spirit, that you are safe, come what may. Whether you are enjoying a time of real peace, or whether you’re caught up in a battle, if you’re under His banner, you’re in the safety of His powerful love.