When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in hand. And Joshua went to him, and said to him, “Are you for us or our adversaries?” And he said, “No, but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place you are standing now is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Joshua 5: 13-15
This scripture has been an anchor for me this year. Like all of us, I’ve felt the tension of today’s issues, demanding me to choose sides. Covid/Quarantine - reality or conspiracy, mask or no mask? BLM - for us or against us? The Elections - conservative or liberal, left or right? And the list goes on.
Through past several months, I’ve been challenged by the Lord to keep my heart open to the world and people around me. To allow my ears to hear, and my heart to feel the cries and concerns of humanity. However, He has also challenged me to put greater effort towards seeking to understand what He is saying and doing in this time in history - to discern what He is doing and saying in the midst of these earthly controversies.
Joshua asked the Commander of the army of the Lord (whom many theologians believe was Jesus Himself), “Are you for us or our adversaries?” Which side are you on? Are you for us or against us? His answer was “No, I’m with the Lord!” Obviously, Joshua had asked the wrong question! Like many of us, Joshua was caught up in the controversy of the day, looking for understanding and solutions from an earthly perspective.
I love Joshua’s response. He fell on his face and worshiped. He humbled himself and submitted himself before the Lord. Worship in the Bible involves aligning to that which we ascribe value. Joshua realized his primary choice was to align with God.
Much to Joshua’s credit, his next action was to ask, “What does my lord say to his servant?” This, I believe, is one of the most important things we can do in life as we endeavor to know God, represent His heart, and participate in His activity in the earth. Have you asked that question of God lately? God, what do You have to say to me regarding _________?
The commanders reply was, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place you are standing now is holy.” As if to say, “Joshua, this posture of worship you have assumed (alignment and submission to God) is a good thing. Take off your shoes and stay a while!”
And Joshua did so.
I want to encourage you, as the Lord has been encouraging me, to spend more time and energy inquiring of the Lord. Bring your heart before Him in worship. Take off your shoes and stay a while at the Throne of Grace. Time invested there produces Kingdom clarity in all our earthly affairs. Absorb His Word and listen to His voice before attempting to understand and/or engage in the issues of society.
“When I tried to understand this (injustice in the world) it was a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of the Lord, then I understood…” Psalm 73: 16-17
“Fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity, and in faithfulness… choose this day whom you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve (choose) the Lord.” Joshua 24: 14-15