Warriors Arise: May 22, 2021
Joshua 5: 13(NKJV) And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand.
I wanted to stop you there because I wanted to make sure we understood the situation. Moses has passed on, Joshua is given command over the children of Israel. He is to lead them into the Promised Land and they are to lay hold of it and establish themselves. However, Joshua had never been allowed to be in the tent of meetings when Moses entered and God came down to meet with him. Joshua was allowed to go up Mt. Sinai with Moses but only to a certain point and then he had to remain behind while Moses continued up the mountain to meet with God. Between God and Moses, Joshua has been told at least 5 times.
Deuteronomy 31:6-8 (NKJV) Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” 7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
When Moses was telling Joshua and the people the Lord will be with you, I am not thinking they thought He would literally be with them. Yet, before Joshua and the children of Israel face their first city a Man stands opposite of Joshua with sword drawn in HIs Hand. This would cause anyone to take a defensive position. We do not know if Joshua had his sword in hand. He was most likely taken off guard by this. Was Joshua by himself? I would guess he had his sword with him because he was in enemy territory; however, he probably didn't have it drawn. Now, before him is a Man with his sword draw. Joshua was at a disadvantage. He had not seen this man before. A sword drawn must mean he's ready for a battle.
Joshua 5:14(NKJV) And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”
Does this shock you? Joshua is in enemy territory. The man has his sword drawn in his hand. But there must have been something out of place. It must have been His posture, poise, or the way He held the sword. He didn't have a hatred in His eyes. He wasn't calling out threats. He positioned Himself across from Joshua, opposite him. Would you have paused to ask, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?"
Would you have drawn your sword?
Would you have sized Him up, weighing whether you thought you could take this Man in hand-to-hand combat?
Would you have felt you had the advantage because God has called You, given You a purpose, a position and a promise to fulfill?
Joshua had a level head in a stressful situation. He asked a question before responding with action. It isn't that he won't act but he isn't going to act without knowing the intentions of this Man. This Man's response shocks me. Joshua asked an either or question and the Man answers with, "No". Now what?
Today is Joshua's day. He is about to know, comprehend and understand what Moses told him and the children of Israel. Maybe he was expecting the Lord to go before him like the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day. Maybe he was looking for a cloud to appear as if coming down upon the tent of meetings. Maybe he was thinking there would be a thunder and lightening like on Mt. Sinai. Maybe he was out that day looking, asking, seeking for some sign of God. And here before him is a Man with sword drawn in His hand. Could this be the Lord?
Joshua 5:13-14 (NKJV )And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”
14 So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”
What a relief! Joshua thought he as going to have to lead the children of Israel to take Jericho but here before him is the Commander of the army of the Lord. I love how He says, "I have now come." Totally sounds like royalty. "You may begin, now that I have arrived." "Thank you for bringing them across the Jordan, I will take it from here."
Joshua's response should shout out, "I have been waiting all day for you to arrive!" However, Joshua has enough sense about him to respond with honor and reverence.
Joshua 5:15(NKJV) And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”
I am convicted with how Joshua responds. How many time have you needed the Lord to show up in your desperate hour, when you need His direction, counsel, strength, and power? How many times did you recognize He had arrived? How many times did you worship Him BEFORE making your requests known?
I totally understand we are to petition the Lord and make our requests know; however, I believe Joshua does something right in his "today", this day being his day.
Recognize when God shows up.
Worship Him; all He has done, all He has promised, all He is doing, and all He will do.
Then find out what He wants to say.
Listen for what He wants you to hear.
Joshua 5:15 (NKJV) Then the Commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.
This is very powerful. What do you recognize about this passage? When was the last time these words were spoken? To whom? For what purpose?
They were spoken to Moses when God was calling him back into his destiny. When the bush was one fire but wasn't burning. Moses turned away from his sheep to see how it could be that a bush was on fire but wasn't burning away. God spoke at that time and told Moses to take off his sandals because where he was standing is holy.
It wasn't that particular piece of earth, it was that the presence of God makes that place sacred and holy. And so Joshua knows exactly who is standing before him. He was right to bow before him and worship him. He was right to position himself to listen and petition. God would tell him exactly what needed to be said. Today was Joshua's day. Whatever God said would be the way.
Father, You are Holy and Your ways a good, perfect and acceptable. Help me to know when You are present. I want to position myself before You in an attitude of worship, lifting up your name and giving You honor and glory. I will quiet my soul and listen for what You would say. Many times I have questions to ask and want answers but what I need to do is know You will say exactly I need. I will receive Your peace and settle my mind. I will rejoice for You are with me and desire not only to be a part of what You have called me to do but You are going to guide me into the fullness of what You have put inside of me. You are my God. I will seek You. I will recognize Your presence. I will worship You for who You are, what You have done and what You are doing. You are my God and there is not other in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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