The Cross of Christ means Life

Joshua 5:13-15 Whose side are you on?

Perhaps you have found, as I have, that even when involved "in the Lord's work" we have a tendency to see it as our own. Joshua was caught up in the task God had given him. He may have come close to the same mistake Moses made which resulted in being refused entry to the promised land. Moses didn't see the grumbling of the people as a sin against God so much as a troublesome interruption to the important work of leading that he was doing. The people just weren't trusting God and it made him mad! The other thing that happened seemed to be that he had mentally put himself above the people he was called to serve. "How long must we (God and I) put up with you..." seems to be what he is saying. Then, instead of speaking to the rock, as God had told him, he struck it with his staff and demonstrated his frustration and displeasure with this grumbling people.

Joshua is quickly corrected when he asks; "Whose side are you on? ... Are you for us or our enemies?" "Neither", replies the angel, "I have come as commander of the Lord's army ...". Joshua remembered, it is the Lord's work, not his, and he quickly fell on his face. "What message does the Lord have for his servant?" Now his priorities are straight. It is God's battle, God's people, God's army and God's plan. How easy it is to forget, but what great joy and confidence in remembering. Then we can see the resources available even as Joshua saw the commander of the Lord's army and Gehazi saw the "chariots and horsemen of the Lord" instead of the armies of his enemies when Elisha prayed that his eyes be opened (2 Kings 6:8-ff.).

"Lord, help us to open our eyes to see the task at hand as it really is: Service to you in your kingdom and in behalf of Your people. Let us be faithful servants."

Amen - let it be so.
Shalom

Bob Goldsby

Posted: December 22, 1996