Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” He said, “No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the LORD.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” The captain of the LORD ‘ S host said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13-15 NASB)
This is a familiar passage to many. Perhaps we are like Joshua, very edgy about battle strategy as the world seems hostile. Joshua verbalized an unconscious thought process within whether to take the offensive or defensive mode when issues confront us.
Interestingly, the Captain did not swing him to neither but revealed his identity as the captain of the hosts. I believe at that point in time, it was a timely reminder for the paradigm shift in his mindset.
As the army of God we belong to him. We do not need to go on the offensive to attack mode, neither do we need to cover our faces to hide as defense. We move forward as Joshua did and miracles of God take place. We stand and start from a position of victory. This is a powerful understanding if we internalize and apply.
