The time has arrived for the Israelites to move
forward and take Canaan. The fulfillment of their promise is just ahead. The
Lord has brought them miraculously through years of wandering and complaining to
this place. In Joshua chapter one, they had been told to be strong, courageous,
and obedient. In chapter two, Joshua sent spies into Jericho to assess what
they were up against, and they had been protected and helped by Rahab. In
chapter three, God once more held back water—this time of the Jordan River—so
that the Israelites could move forward to receive their promise. Now in chapter
five, they have circumcised the new generation, and held Passover in
preparation for the military invasion of Canaan.
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
5:13-15 NLT).
Joshua
looks up and sees a powerful man with a drawn sword, and he asks if he is for
the Israelites or for their adversaries. The man replies that he is for
neither, and then tells Joshua that he is the commander of the army of the
Lord. At the point when Joshua asks if the Lord is with him, this sword-bearer of the Lord tells him
that he is on neither side. The commander of the Lord’s army waits for Joshua’s
reaction. Joshua has not yet surrendered to him in worship. He has not yet
committed himself. The power of the Lord stands before Joshua saying, “I am
here, surrender. Worship so that I may be your power.”
Joshua
falls on the ground before him in reverent worship, and then in surrender asks,
“What do you want me to do?” The commander of the Lord’s army tells him to
remove his sandals because the place where he is standing is holy ground. When
Joshua removes his shoes, he honors the Lord’s messenger and the Lord Most High
that he represents. It is an act of absolute surrender. With Joshua’s commitment,
the answer is no longer, “I’m neither friend nor foe.” It is, “I’m yours!”
Jesus
stands before us, and says, “I am the Lord’s Son. I can’t be your friend or
fight your battles until you surrender to me.” He waits for us to remove our
shoes and worship Him. He waits for our heart, our commitment, and our
obedience. He longs to take us into our Promised Land, but He waits for our
absolute surrender. With that surrender comes all of His power and His
unfailing commitment to us. He says, “I’m yours, and all my power is yours.” Because
of a divided heart—because of murmuring and complaining and non-commitment, the
Israelites wandered in the wilderness for decades. If they had committed their
hearts without wavering, those years could have been spent in the fulfillment
of their promise.
What lies before you?
What promise waits? Is He with you? He
waits in your presence wishing to be your friend—your power and protector—your
provider—your healer—your victory. He waits for your worship and surrender. You
are standing on holy ground in His presence. What will you do? Will you take
off your shoes and worship Him? Or will you hesitate because you are not
sure? He is all you need when you say
“yes”.
©
2017 Lynn Lacher
www.lynnlacher.com
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