"Before you fight, talk to the Lord"

Joshua 5:13–15 NIV

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.

Text: Joshua 5:13-15

Introduction: Often times challenges, personal distraction and perceptions of our surroundings can cause us to become discouraged. Spiritual warfare and battles are common ground for every believer in Christ. We must be prepared to take on the onslaught and wiles of the devil. Spending time with the Lord is essential if battles are to be won along this Christian journey. Our spending time with Him before a battle is God’s assurance to us that no battle we face is beyond His reach nor divine protection. God literally has the power to filter every adverse encounter that you and I will ever face. In our narrative today, God demonstrates to Joshua, that His promise is His priority regardless of our personal failures. Once again God steps in to correct Israel and as always He expects Israel to obey. He provides Joshua an opportunity for affirmation, an opportunity for adoration, and an opportunity for alterations.

The opportunity for Affirmation (Joshua 5:14a)

God had just brought the Israelites through a series of events. The rite of circumcision, the celebration of the Passover, and eating the produce of Canaan. These events were for the edification of Israel. Now Joshua would experience something personal that would later be shared with the nation of Israel. It is clear from the scriptures beginning in Chapter 6 that the capture of Jericho is Joshua’s next assignment. But since no word from the Lord had told Joshua to advance, Joshua take a visual exploration of the city walls. He knew the city had to be taken and he knew that God had promised that He would give Israel that fortified city called Jericho. They could not retreat nor could they bypass Jericho because that would leave the women, children, goods, and cattle at Gilgal exposed. As he ponders, the bible says “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 asks “Are you for us or for our enemies?” Neither, he replied, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” God had already promised Joshua from the beginning of his assignment: “As I was with Moses, so shall I also be with you.” God reaffirms His promise and presence to Joshua. We can always depend on God keeping His promise. I don’t care how dark it may look, the brightness of the Lord will prevail. God is not like us, some of us have proven to be trustworthy but you do not have the capacity to not lie. God cannot lie! When we are going through or about to face adverse situations we can depend on God. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” It does not matter how difficult the situation or problem may be, God is the solution and sustainer of my life. Has there ever been a time in your life when you needed the affirmation of God to re assure you, that He is right there by your side.

The opportunity for Adoration (Joshua 5:14)

“Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked Him, What message does my Lord have for his servant?” It is a privilege to be in the presence of the Lord! Are you glad to be here this morning? It is a privilege to be here, it is because of His grace that you are, so we ought to be in worship mode, this is a serious time, a time of thanksgiving, praise and adoration for His goodness. Joshua understands what an honor and blessed privilege it is to be in the presence of the Lord. The Lord was letting Joshua know that He would not only be with him but that He would also fight the battle for him. O come let us adore Him, kneel down before Him, worship and adore Him. Any time you and I experience an encounter with God, He deserves our worship and praise. Any time you are preparing to do battle for the Lord we need to remember that God is already there before you get there. Just knowing and believing that He is there ought to cause an eruption of praise and adoration. He is worthy!

The opportunity for Alteration (Joshua 5:15)

“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.” Entering into the presence of the Lord should bring about a change of heart, mind , and attitude. What you want to do or feel like doing must give way to God’s way. When we follow the Lord’s path there is a blessing waiting to happen and reveal to us in convincing form that God is in complete charge of our situations. Joshua thought this battle was to be his war and because he was general all the other times, he thought that he was calling the shots. However when he confronts the divine Commander, he learns that the battle belongs to the Lord. It will do us as Christians a whole lot of good to realize that God our Commander in Chief can control the plight of our spiritual battles only when we acknowledge Him, bow down before Him, and let Him do the fighting! God is not just a spectator in our struggles, He is the answer, and ultimate champion over them all. Jericho a fortified city, Israel a nation with limited artillery, mainly swords and shields, how would the task be accomplished? By being obedient and taking off his shoes, Joshua is convinced that he did not have to bear the burden of leadership alone. This was God’s battle and he was only a servant that the Lord wanted to use to get the job done. Just because you have been elevated to a position of authority doesn’t mean you take over and do what you feel like doing, this is holy ground and God will hold you accountable. Many mindsets need altering in todays church, mission and ministry. Instead of thinking its ours to carry out, we need to hear and listen to the Commander! “Take off your shoes, this is Holy ground” Let me show you that I have the power to assist you in prevailing over every foe that comes against the name of the Lord! But your mind set towards that which belongs to me must be altered.

Closure: Good afternoon Saints of the Most High, grace and peace be with you until we meet again. But look at what God can do when we have a serious encounter with the Lord, when our behavior changes and our attitudes are adjusted and we walk in the direction where God is leading. Exhort on Joshua 6:1-10. It does not matter if the enemy does seem to have the advantage, “Greater is He that is within you, than he that is in the world.” “ Be not dismayed whatever be tide, God will take care of you; Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.”