April 25, 1999, Sunday

When one has a message of importance that has been made

by an important official, is he reponsible to deliver it?

Could the lives of many people depend on the message made

by the important official to the messenger? What could make

a difference and what could happen in our country that would

make a great change and improvement?

Jeremiah was a prophet of God that was responsible with the

message of the Lord. Many times it's a message of good news

but other times is a message of judgment that is coming---

"Declare and proclaim among the nations. Proclaim it and

lift up a standard!" (Jer 50:2) The Banner and standard to

raise is that of God's Word. To proclaim it in season and

out of season is the responsibility of the Believer.

Jonah was a man of God that was commanded to deliver a Word

from the Lord. The Word was simply that God has a standard

of repentance. All people must repent from their sins and

turn to God to avoid the judgment and wrath of an angry God-

"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it

the message that I tell you" (Jonah 3:2). The people heard

the Word of God and repented from their sins. God relented

from his wrath and spared the city. Because Jonah repented

from his earlier disobedience to God's call, God used him

in His service to spare a great city from destruction.

The Scripture tells us that God has a standard of relief for

His people. After Solomon had fasted for 7 days, God appeared

to him and stressed the importance of prayer and seeking God-

"If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves,

and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and

heal their land" (2Chr 7:14). The born again Believer is one

that is called by His Name; One that has the promise that God

will hear his prayer when he searches for Him.

Let us remember who is the God that is our Banner. God's

Name is Jehová Nissi. He is the God whose Banner over

us is His love. He raises up His Standard of Righteousness

for us when the enemy comes in like a flood. He makes

that Standard of Righteousness a higher calling in your life.

Lift your hands to Him and Praise Him today for the fact

that He is the God who is our Banner and is ready to

accept our mental choice, our soul-life changes, and our

life's strengths and concentrations to love Him!