Creator, Father, King #99

The LORD is for me.

GOD HAD MIRACULOUSLY BROUGHT Israel across the Jordan River. Spies had been sent to scout out Jericho. The conquest of Canaan was about to begin.

But on the eve of battle, a fascinating encounter between Joshua and a mysterious stranger occurred. Joshua 5:13-15 records it:

When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?”

“Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the LORD’s army.”

At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?”

The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.

Joshua likely remembered this brief meeting the rest of his life. We can learn a great deal from it too.

What’s It Mean?

Confronted by a startling warrior, Joshua wanted to know, “Whose side are you on?” It seemed to be a legitimate question. However, based on the warrior’s response, the better question for Joshua (and us) is this: Are you on the Lord’s side? In other words, do you have the Lord’s plans in mind?

Too often, we want God on our side in selfish ways. We want him to approve all the goals and plans we’ve already mapped out for our lives. This often shows up in the way we pray.

But God doesn’t work like that. He is the eternal, sovereign Ruler of the universe. He is not obligated to follow our plans, but we are obligated to follow his. He calls us to humble ourselves in repentance and faith and join his purposes, which are always for his glory and our good.

Is the Lord “for” his people? Yes! Scripture clearly teaches this. (Psalm 118:6 and Romans 8:31-39.) But he always does this within the framework of his greater purposes.

If God is committed to his people out of his abundant love and grace, how much more should we be committed to him out of worshipful obedience? So follow the example of Joshua, who wisely humbled himself before God in Joshua 5:14 and asked, “What do you want your servant to do?” May we do the same!

Now What?

When you pray, seek the Lord’s will to be done in your life (Matthew 6:10), not your own.

Did You Know?

Many theologians believe that “the commander of the LORD’s army” in Joshua 5:13-15 was actually a preincarnate appearance of Christ.