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April 6, 2018

Joshua 5:13-15

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”
The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

New International Version (NIV)

Have you noticed that football players on both sides lift their eyes to heaven and gesture thanks when they win? It sounds like they think God always wants them to win. But both sides pray. Does God sway the outcomes of our games and our lives in favor of those who have more Christians or pray the most?

   Is God always on your side? How do we know God wants us to win? My friend whose daughter showed a beautiful Hereford at the Houston Rodeo and Livestock show said she was disappointed not to win. I lamented with him and then he said, “They sometimes learn the best lessons when they lose.” It is best not to presume. Many have co-opted God’s presence to validate their behavior. Sometimes both sides say God is for them. Who is right?

   After Joshua led the people across the Jordan and set up stones of remembrance, and before he led the Israelites against Jericho, he ran into an awesome warrior.   “Whose side are you on?” Joshua asked. We might expect the heavenly warrior to say, “I am always on your side, Joshua.” He does not. Instead, he says, “I have now come as commander of the Lord’s army.”

                In our conflicts with others, we know this for sure. God does not come to take sides but to take over. Since God will not always align with our desires, we should align our lives with him. God always wins in our lives, but not always through our victories. God’s primary interest in life is not in whether our sports teams win, but in whether we are formed in his image through the victories and the losses of our lives. So God could produce humility in us through a loss that would never come through a victory. It is best not to presume. But since God has come to take over, and he is awesome, our first step might be to step out of our shoes. God is always holy. God is everywhere. Shoes off.

Pray with me:

Father, you are awesome in power and mighty to save. Thank you for your victorious power at work in our lives. We do not ask you to align with our desires for this day. As we take off our shoes in the presence of your holiness we ask you to align us with yourself. Turn us and turn us until we turn around right. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
Joyfully,
Duane

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