Planting the Flag

Planting the Flag

I stood there watching the British flag, the Union Jack, being raised on a white wooden flag pole, while the National anthem, “God Save the King”, was gustily sung. The stoic soldiers in their red coats stood at a stiff salute, while onlookers all solemnly watched the event. It was January 26 and I was at a re-enactment during the Australia Day celebrations. This day in our history the first fleet of eleven tall ships, sent out by Britain, eight months previously, arrived wearily in Sydney Cove. Under the command of Captain Phillip they had departed to establish a penal colony and  to take possession of the land in the name of King George III.

I enjoyed a happy day of celebrations. People were waving the Australian flag, many were dressed up with t-shirts or hats or some fun regalia all depicting our flag. It was a warm summer’s day and we were by the sea shore with many, enjoying the sparkling water. Events on the stage were taking place all through the day from Australian folk songs, citizenship ceremonies to aboriginal dances and music. Food, craft and market stalls were cheerily set up, while children's rides and jumping castles added to the festive mood. Traditional wood working, leather, knitting and sewing skills from long ago were being demonstrated by those in period costume. An all time, well loved Australian sporting event, the wood chop, was busily going through rounds of competitions. Re-enactments took place as the wooden stocks were manned by British soldiers, the old cannon was being fired with ceremony and the soldiers guns discharged in noisy blasts and loud commands.

In all the festivities and fun my mind thought of the hardships that first fleet of convicts endured, the long sea voyage and the arrival in a strange land. In 1770 Captain James Cook had navigated the east coast of Australia and claimed the land for a British Colony. Other nations had their attentive eyes on the land Down Under. Just days before Britain took possession of the the land, two French ships were sailing out of the  bay, south of Sydney, as the First Fleet were sailing in. Over several previous centuries, explorers from Holland, Portugal, Spain and France had all set their sights on the continent in the southern seas. However, on January 26, 1788 small wooden row boats were lowered into the calm waters of Sydney Cove. Captain Phillip, a few dozen marines, officers and oarsmen clambered down the rope ladders and into the those boats. They rowed ashore and stepped onto Australian soil. It was here that they planted the British flag, saluted and took possession of Australia on behalf of King George III. Australia was officially a British colony.

Territories for centuries and millennia have been fought over, challenged, grasped, conquered and ruled. The planting of a simple flag is a recognised and declared ownership. God tells us in His Word that “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him” ( Ps 24:1). However, we know that the enemy is “roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” ( Job 1:7) “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” ( 1 Peter 5:8 ). Have you ever had those times you just felt like a tsunami of troubles and problems was hitting you? Day after day, trial after trial, with barely a moment to breath between one crises after another? Do you feel emotionally drained, worn down, run down and you wonder if you can go on? Satan seeks to claim us as his own. He is there to “steal and kill and destroy” ( John 10:10) our joy, our eternal life and our happiness. Yet God will raise up His flag and plant it over you. He will claim His ownership of you, “and they shall be mine”, says God ( Mal 3:17) The next time you feel swamped and knocked down and overwhelmed look to Jesus. Look for His flag. Look for His ownership over you. Do you belong to Him? Do I?

Isa 59:19 “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”

Song of Solomon 2:4 “..And his banner over me is love.”

Ps 60:4 “You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth.”