How can we apply Joshua's humility and obedience in our daily spiritual battles? Setting the Scene “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?’ ” (Joshua 5:13) Joshua’s Immediate Posture: Humility First - Joshua, the new national leader and proven warrior, pauses before acting. - Instead of assuming the heavenly Figure has joined his cause, he asks a question—an act of deference. - The Commander’s reply in v. 14 (“Neither… but as Commander of the LORD’s army I have now come”) reminds Joshua that God is never recruited; He recruits us. - Joshua’s reaction (falling facedown, v. 14) models Psalm 95:6—“Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.” Daily takeaway • Begin each battle—temptation, conflict, decision—by acknowledging God’s absolute authority. • Ask, “Lord, am I aligned with You?” rather than, “Are You blessing my plan?” Removing the Sandals: A Picture of Submission The Commander says, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy” (v. 15). This echoes Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5). • Sandals carried dust from past travels; taking them off signified leaving self-directed paths. • Joshua surrenders comfort and control, embracing God’s agenda. Daily takeaway • Lay aside past victories or failures that cling like dust. • Set apart moments of the day—phone down, mind quiet—to acknowledge God’s holiness. Obedience in Action: Trust Beyond Logic After this encounter, Joshua receives the unconventional Jericho strategy (Joshua 6). Marching around walls in silence made no military sense, yet he obeyed. • Hebrews 11:30 confirms: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell.” • Obedience preceded understanding; results followed obedience. Daily takeaway • Follow clear scriptural commands even when outcomes look improbable—integrity at work, purity in relationships, generosity when budgets tighten. • Remember 1 Samuel 15:22: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Fighting Today’s Battles God’s Way Ephesians 6:10-18 lays out the armor; Joshua 5 shows the attitude behind it. • Belt of truth: Humility admits we need truth outside ourselves. • Breastplate of righteousness: Obedience aligns conduct with God’s standards. • Shield of faith: Trust that God’s plans—however unlikely—prevail. • Sword of the Spirit: Like Joshua listened to the Commander’s words, we wield Scripture accurately. Translating Humility and Obedience into Daily Rhythms 1. Start mornings knee-low: a brief physical kneel or bowed head, declaring Christ’s lordship. 2. Check alignment before decisions: “Is this consistent with Your Word?” (Proverbs 3:5-6). 3. Practice immediate obedience in small matters—apologies, service, generosity—training the heart for larger commands. 4. Embrace God-given strategies that seem counterintuitive—responding to anger with blessing (Romans 12:14), overcoming anxiety with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7). Living the Lesson Humility positions us under God’s command; obedience moves us in step with His victory plan. Like Joshua, we win spiritual battles not by asserting our strength but by recognizing the true Commander, removing whatever hinders intimacy, and executing His word without hesitation. |
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