Thursday, February 9, 2012

RAISING THE STANDARD!

Isa 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. 


The day was, November 25, 1863, Chattanooga Tennessee, the Union army had been turned back from Chickamauga and the Confederates were trying to recapture Chattanooga.  They were entrenched in what seemed to be an impregnable position atop Missionary Ridge, and it looked as if Gen. Sherman's forces would be defeated. During the battle, one of the most dramatic moments of the war occurs. Union troops of the Indiana 15th Regiment storm the ridge without orders waving the colors of old glory that they called "the standard." Yelling, "Chickamauga! Chickamauga!" They carry "the Standard" up the hill amid a hail storm of gunfire. Color-Sergeant George Banks gets hit in the chest with a mini canon ball and fell to the ground. His soldiers grabbed the flag and continued on. He himself was saved by a book and couple of letter in his coat pocket that absorbed the hit. He gets hit 3 times but none were fatal; and he and his soldiers avenge their previous defeat at Chickamauga. "My God, come and see 'em run!" a Union soldier cries.


Friends, we too are in a battle. It seems like our enemy has an impregnable position. The bullets are flying all around: bullets of sickness, discouragement, depression, mockery, ridicule, shame, lying, deceit, division, and desperation are flying all around us, trying to confuse us and knock us out of the fight! BUT 2,000 YRS. AGO, OUR LORD CARRIED THE STANDARD UP THE HILL CALLED CALVARY! He hung there and died; and now the preaching of the cross is the standard by which the battle is fought and won 2day! Stand in the Victory of Him 2day!




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