Beholding the Banner

"Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth" (Psalm 60:4).  "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God... Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure" (1 John 3:1-3). 

Lift high now the glorious banner

Displaying the truth of God's love,

Declaring His marvelous manner

That fits us for heaven above. 

This banner of truth that God gave

To those who are now born again

Proclaims that our Lord came to save

And ransom the children of men. 

Consider the marvelous fashion

In which God has rescued the lost:   

Our Lord was so moved with compassion,

He paid an unspeakable cost!

Though now it does not yet appear

What God has bestowed on His own,

The day which approaches draws near 

When those who are His shall be shown. 

We'll see Him that day face to face,

Beholding Him then as He is,

And we shall be changed by His grace

To manifest that we are His. 

In view of this banner, O Lord,

Proclaiming the reason You died,

How rightly You should be adored

And hearts should be thus purified!

Beholding the banner You give,

O Lord, we go forth to proclaim

That sinners may yet look and live

Who humbly will call on Your name.