Do you ever have “one of those days” (or weeks, or months, perhaps years?) when it’s rough and stays rough and gets rough and then someone points a sword at your throat?
Pre-Battle
We catch up with Joshua as he is preparing to take down Jericho. He is likely contemplating the job when he’s interrupted by a formidable looking guy with a sword (likely) pointed at Josh’s throat.
Just to be clear or polite or to buy some time, Josh asks him who’s side he’s on – maybe he’s contemplating whether he can take him, run or hug the man’s sandals.
The guy will have none of it – turns out he’s on his own team. “Neither.” he says (Josh gulps), “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come”.
THAT-is-spec-tac-u-lar.
Huge Exhale!
Josh does it right. He quickly knows his place, and that place is relevantly sucking-dirt with his face, on his own volition. He asks a very important question, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Josh. 5:14)
The commander gave Josh an order to honor the holy place by taking off his sandals, and Josh obeyed.
Lessons from Eating Dirt
When we are up against a Jericho-sized wall, and we haven’t experienced the Salvation of the Lord yet, where should we be? Pounding on Jericho’s door? (getting arrows shot in our head as we are outside the protected area?) Running back to the Jordan River trying to get across? (getting arrows shot in back as we retreat?)
Hmmm… I’m seeing a theme…
We need to be at the feet of Jesus.
Some say that the Commander of the Lord’s army was Jesus showing up, in his human form. Don’t’ worry, he’s done this before when he spoke to Abraham about Sarah having a baby (Gen. 18, specifically vs 13, if you wanna check it out)
- But first things first – Josh, bowed low – a sign of reverence and respect. When faced with trials in your life, do you bow low or fight? Remember, it’s okay to fight, you just have to have your marching orders first, so you can be strategic and be on the right team. Take some time to pray and remember your rightful place before Him.
2. Ask about what is expected of you from the Lord. Jesus puts a great deal of emphasis on obedience. He even goes as far as to say, “you are my friends if you do what I command” (John 14:15). That’s what love looks like to Jesus. Take some time and ask what it is that he wants you to do, think, believe, or be. Ask for specifics and write it down.
Humility is part of obedience. Jesus isn’t asking you to grovel so he can kick you in your gut. He’s asking for your humility so he can give you wisdom, partner WITH you and lift you up.
God promises to lift up the lowly. James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” This includes keeping your mouth in check – even in injustice.
He wants to honor what is honorable within you, and that is Himself. He wants to shine so brightly in you that people will come and watch you burn. Humility opens the door for the greatness of God to make a super-sonic boom and change things on your behalf.
Check out Phil. 2:5-8 (memorize it if you dare)
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