When God Takes Charge
Joshua 5:13-14
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 approached Him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
“Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as commander of the LORD’s army.”
Joshua had a battle before him, and as the successor to Moses, it would be up to him to lead the people into battle to take what God had promised them. The daunting challenge before him must have been overwhelming because God repeatedly told him to be of great courage, and we don’t see Joshua shrinking back from the challenge. As he neared Jericho to observe the land and the obstacles he would have to overcome, he encountered a mighty warrior he did not expect to find.
“Are you for us or for our enemies?” Joshua’s question was certainly valid as he sought to discover whether or not this formidable warrior before him was his friend or foe. This mighty warrior, however, had not come to further Joshua’s cause nor to stop him. He had come to take charge! Jericho would not fall by the Israelite army but by the army of the LORD, and Joshua would lead his men to take possession of the land afterwards.
What battle lies before you that seems impossible? You don’t have to figure it out, strategize, or manipulate to get a win. God already has a battle plan, and He will summons His army to fight for you where you cannot fight for yourself. Simply bow before your Great Commander in worship, and let Him fight that battle for you. He has come to take charge and to lead you to possess the land. He fights the battle; you worship and obey. What comfort it is to know today that we can have great courage because God fights our battles and gives us the land!
Have a blessed day!