Divine Initiative

Read: Joshua 5:13-15

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.” Joshua 5:13-14

IN WORD

On the eve of the conquest of Jericho, Joshua encountered a divine being. Whether an angel, the preincarnate Messiah, or the Father Himself—these things are fuzzy in our perceptions of Hebrew Scripture—this was clearly a message from God. Joshua wanted to know whether this mysterious figure was friend or foe. “Neither,” came the reply. This was not a battle between human armies in search of divine favor. It was a divine battle in which human armies would take sides.

That’s really the perspective of the Kingdom. It’s okay to talk about God being on our side. Scripture certainly does (Psalm 56:9; 118:6; Romans 8:31; Hebrews 13:6). But in truth, He is not fighting our battles simply because we asked Him to. He fights our battles because they are actually His battles. He hasn’t chosen sides; we have. We entered into His Kingdom, and the Kingdom agenda is now ours. He is not our mascot; He’s our commander. There’s a difference.

It’s important to know that because many people have followed their own purposes while assuming God was going to help them. In His mercy, He often supports us anyway. But sometimes we have failed because we haven’t sought His direction first. We expected Him to be on our side while He was waiting for us to be on His.

IN DEED

Come to God regularly to ask Him what’s on His heart. Seek His agenda in this world and step into His purposes. Rather than making plans and asking Him to support you, find the plans He has already made and choose to support them. Look for territory He has promised rather than designating the territory you want to take. Battles go much better when He leads. We find Him fully on our side when we have already chosen to be on His.

ADDITIONAL READING: 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

Thy way, not mine, O Lord, however dark it be. Lead me by Thine own hand, choose out the path for me.

HORATIUS BONAR