Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Not Necessarily 'For' Anyone

Scripture: 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." Joshua 5:13-14a

Observation: Joshua meets an angel of the Lord, prepared for battle, and with instructions for how to take Jericho. Upon meeting, however, there is a clarification needed - is this messenger for or against Israel - and the answer is a decisive ... none of the above. Yes, the angel has the message that Israel will take and destroy Jericho, and even has the battle plan to deliver to Joshua. Yet the angel is not 'for' Israel, and in contrast is not necessarily 'against' Jericho.

The angel is for God, and God is for his purposes and plan. He may have chosen Israel as his vessel for his plan and nation of priests on earth, but he loves everyone. The only question is, when God's instructions are delivered, he will be 'for' the one who obeys the instructions.

Application: The psalms are full of prayers asking God to protect the faithful and destroy our enemies. There is an "us and them" mentality. Jesus himself faced opposition, and especially as he was arrested and executed there was an "us and them" tone to events. However, the angel reminds me that, while events may transpire under this model, God's love is mutual toward all parties. God is on the side of his perfect will, and his precepts and instructions. He loves everyone, and thus the starting point of a conversation is not whether he is for or against anyone. Instead, it is ... am I for or against God?

I am for God! I seek his will and purposes and plan. I strive to align to his laws and guidance. I fail daily in some ways, yet my faith is in Jesus as my only path to the Lord. I am for God, his kingdom, and his son who is my savior.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive my sins this day, both those of my mind and those of my actions. I know I miss the mark daily, but I sincerely wish to align my life to you. I am for you. May this day my words and actions support your plan and instructions. Amen.

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