He Has Come To Take Over
Joshua 5:13-15
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.” Then Joshua bowed with his face to the ground in worship and asked Him, “What does my Lord want to say to His servant?” The commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Joshua was on the brink of entering the land God promised to His people when a commanding and threatening presence stood before him. Thinking he was in charge, Joshua immediately confronted the man to find out if he were with him or against him in the battle. What he learned must have shocked him.
The Commander of the LORD’s army had come to take charge and lead the men into battle. Joshua bowed in submission. Most scholars believe this Commander was either an Angel of the Lord or Jesus Himself. Either way, Joshua must submit to His leadership in taking possession of God’s promised land.
When we are on the verge of entering our own promised lands, God takes over. Our promised land is His purpose, and He must lead us through. He insures the victory, but we gain it by following Him.
When Joshua asked the Commander what He would have His servant do, the Commander told him to remove his sandals because the place where he stood was holy ground. As was the case in the burning bush experience with Moses, God was about to move in mighty ways, and the place where these men stood had great purpose. This ground was holy – set apart. God was about to grant a tremendous victory that would change the course of history for His people, but they would have to submit to His leadership. He was in charge at this point.
How badly do you want your promised land? Realize that it is holy ground, and God must be in charge for you to enter it. Submit fully to His leadership today, knowing that the victory is already yours! He is neither for you nor against you in your efforts to take the land by your own means. He has come to take over the battle! Trust His strategy, and submit to His authority. Let Him lead you to victory over your enemy and into full possession of all He has for you. It is a beautiful land, flowing with milk and honey, and you don’t want to miss it!
Have a blessed day!