Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
Imagine how Joshua must have felt. He had thousands of God’s people to relocate in a new place. Not only that, first they had to fight and win several battles. They needed to overcome huge obstacles such as crossing a river during harvest season, which they miraculously did. They were going to have to find a way through a great big wall and successfully execute the feeding and housing of every single one of a huge nation that had just walked forty years through a wilderness.
And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” – Joshua 5:14
Joshua had mighty shoes to fill after taking over from Moses. He also had mighty encouragement from God. As he walked around that day he might have been strategising in his mind, planning which way to go and what might be the best war tactics to take over a fortified city. Then he saw a man with his drawn sword. He wasn’t afraid to approach him and ask if he was for them or for their enemies. He may have been expecting all sorts of answers, perhaps even a combat situation. But the answer he got had him humbling himself to worship God. God was saying to him, ‘The most important thing here is my presence. Worship me. Take off your shoes, strip yourself of your own strength and self reliance and enjoy my holy presence. I am here now. I will take over from here. You’re not going to fight this battle yourself. Now, I have come. I am here in the immediate present time when you need me. I am never too late. My timing is perfect. I am in charge. I am the commander of the Lord’s army. Hand over to me!’
unfetteredconviction 