Psalms 20:5

We will rejoice in Thy salvation.

Joy in God’s salvation

The joy, the gladness, the rhapsody, the exultation, the young heaven begun in the heart of the newborn convert is the nearest thing to Paradise that earth ever saw. On the day that our sins are pardoned God sets all the bells of heaven ringing, and then the bells of our heart chime in melody. On the day when God is pleased to blot out our sins, He hangs every lane and every alley of Mansoul with splendid flags and colours, and gilded lamps and bright jewels; then He bids sweet music play in every part of the city, and He makes the fountains run with wine. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

In the name of our God we will set up our banners.

The banners of the Temperance Reformation

There is the battle of life and its hard struggle, with which we are familiar. And there is that other battle of a higher kind--the battle of salvation, in which we have to carry on a warfare against our spiritual foes. And every great reform has been of the nature of a battle, because of the opposing forces arrayed against it. The Temperance Reformation is no exception to this rule. Many and mighty are the forces arrayed against it: ignorance and appetite, custom and fashion, prejudices and “vested interests,” and yet more. This is the battle we have to wage. But we survey the field of this warfare not at all with discouragement, but rejoicing in the salvation which God has wrought by the temperance cause.

I. Enumerate some of the great truths which are the banners of the temperance reformation. We know how useful signs, banners, and such symbols are in any warfare. What great service they render.

1. Now, amongst ours are abstinence and health. No one imperils their health by joining our cause, though some think they will. But it is altogether a mistake. There is no need for their coming as martyrs, for no one’s health will be injured by abstinence. And how vastly health is promoted by it is a fact becoming more recognised day by day.

2. Temperance and safety. Perfect safety is not the lot of man, but relative safety is largely within our own power; and abstinence from all intoxicating drinks is one great aid to such safety. “Wine is a mocker,” and the victims of its deceptions are gathered from every rank, age, and calling, the most sacred not excepted. Therefore it is well to make ourselves, by abstinence from strong drink, as safe as we can in order that we may more fully execute the will of God and the work of life.

3. Temperance and charity; that is, love for our fellow man. For the sake of others we should keep from that which does others so great harm. Love will ever swell the ranks of the temperance cause.

4. Temperance and piety. The one does not involve the other, but it is a great helper thereto. A practical connection exists between them, and temperance has brought multitudes to cast in their lot with the godly, and to walk with them in the heavenly way.

5. Temperance and prosperity. What hinders national and individual prosperity so much as intoxicating drink Y What, then, could more help than abstinence from it?

II. Exaltation of these banners is binding upon us. We are to set them up, not as the only things to be exalted, but yet as certainly amongst them.

1. Why shall we set them up?

(1) As a protest against prevailing errors and fallacies which still are held by multitudes of people.

(2) For publicity--that all may know what we believe and teach.

(3) For the sake of propagandism. We want these truths spread.

2. Where shall we set them up? In the home, the school, the church, the press, the legislature, wherever, indeed, we may.

3. The means. By the living voice, by the printing press, by personal example, by social influence, by the franchise.

III. The Divine sanction under which we act. We care for such sanction and we have it: His authority, honour, service, all sanction our efforts. Let us all be of those who take our text as their own resolve. (J. Dawson Burns.)

A holy warfare

I. Publicly declared. A “banner” is a military ensign, and to set it up is a declaration of war. To “set up our banner” and to declare a moral war against wrong is what all should do. It is indispensable. We are ruined else.

1. Righteous. There are unrighteous wars, but this is not one of them.

2. Life long. It will not end until “the last enemy” be destroyed.

3. Glorious. It has a glorious Leader, glorious examples and victories. Unfurl your banner, then. It should be--

4. Public. Let it be seen floating over the scene of your everyday life.

II. Its animating spirit. “In the name of our God.” This may imply--

1. A conscious need of Divine help. Jehoshaphat’s prayer is suited to us (2 Chronicles 20:12).

2. A determination to follow the Divine direction. He is the Captain of our salvation. What a magnificent description we have of Him as a Chieftain in Revelation 19:11. (D. Thomas, D. D. )

The religious banquet

A banner is a symbol. Hence its significance and value. Every country, every nationality has its banner, from the Roman Empire with its eagles, that aspired to universal dominion, to the smallest principality. The banner symbolises what is dear to the patriot heart, and every patriot is prompted to cling to it. Every soldier stands by his colours. Every religious body has its banners. They may not be visible flags; they may be symbols of different kinds. The creeds were formerly called symbols. Every Church has a creed or symbol of some kind. Some Churches may not have authoritative statements of faith and opinion to which subscription is required as a condition of membership, but every Church, every organisation, has its controlling thought, its characteristic faith, which in some form or other it expresses and makes its symbol or banner. Such banner every religious body ought to have, and it should set it up in the name of its God; that is, under deep conviction that its banner symbolises and sets forth truths, principles, duties accordant with the will of God and helpful to man’s highest interest and truest welfare--mental, moral, and spiritual. And to the banner thus set up it should be unfalteringly true. It should stand by its colours. Better have no colours than to have them without the manliness to stand by them. Neutrality, where important principles are involved, is pitiable; but better be neutral, better openly declare that you have no convictions, than not to have courage to maintain those you profess to have. If you have a faith, never be ashamed of it. Be ashamed of not having a faith, or of not bravely defending the faith you have. (J. H. Heywood.)