Read Joshua 5:13-15 Encountering the Commander

So He said, No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, What does my Lord say to His servant? (Joshua 5:14)

Joshua was commissioned to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. He was anxious of the challenges he would have to face. He prepared the people to enter. He reinstated the Passover and circumcision as a reminder of their devotion. This way he facilitated the divine intervention. Here he lifted his eyes, he saw an armed Commander on the other side of the river bank. What a confirmation of His promise that He would be with them.

First, he wondered. He questioned whose side was the commander fighting for. To his amazement the Lord said neither but revealed Himself to Joshua as the Commander of the army of the LORD. Joshua couldn't recognise Him initially as the Lord. He was too engrossed in the project and failed to see the Lord.

Second, he worshipped. When he realised who he encountered he could only worship. The Captain of Host. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. (Psalms 24:8) This is a theophany, Christ manifested. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10).

Third, he waited. Then the Commander of the Lords army said to Joshua, Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy. And Joshua id so. (Joshua 5:15). Where the presence of the Lord is holy ground besides to indicate this land belongs to Him. The Lord wanted to show Himself that He is the Centre of it all. The battle belongs to the Lord. God wants our allegiance not vice versa.

We too have God promises given to us. Receiving it does not mean there are no challenges. Through the Old Testaments conflicts and warfare in the natural occurred throughout; ours is not flesh and blood but principalities and power of darkness. It happens not only among God's people against the heathens but among themselves even within families and between spouses.

There are wars in the heavenly that affect what is on the earthly. The great assurance is God is in it. As in Joshua, the battles were first fought and won in the heavenly. God was fighting for them (Joshua 10:42; 23:1,5,9). How often we need to be sensitive so as to face the enemy with Gods strategies. This is a process of experiencing God, partnering with Him and knowing Him.

Prayer: Father God, You do show Yourself present as the Captain of Host in time of spiritual conflict. I simply need to recognise it. I will bow and worshiped, and said to You, What does my Lord say to His servant?"

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