Not to Take Sides, but to Take Over
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.
Joshua 5:13-15
This brief encounter set the course of Joshua’s spiritual leadership in Israel, and is an example for every Christian leader, whether in church or in missions or in the family.
Joshua assumed that this individual came to take sides in the battle, but God does not come to take sides. He comes to take over.
A brief and profound reminder of the importance in every situation of life to surrender to His authority. In any conflict, no matter how noble our cause might have been at the onset, human vanity and pride can begin to seep into our thoughts and actions. We need this reminder in every situation of life, that we are to pledge ourselves to God’s side and to do things His way.
He has come not to take sides, but to take over.
Lord, let us be aware of Your leadership in our lives. Lead us to surrender to Your authority in all situations. Amen.