God had a God-sized task for Joshua. It would not be possible for Joshua to accomplish on his own strength. What was the task? To lead the entire nation of Israel into the land that God had promised them. Moses, Joshua’s mentor, had just died and now Joshua was the leader for the nation – appointed by God. The first order of business was to seize Jericho.
The Bible tells us in verse 13, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho…” I have a very good imagination. Have you ever come to a verse like that and say, “Ok…but what was he doing there?” I can imagine as Joshua stood looking at the well fortified city, contemplating how to accomplish God’s plan, he felt like the task was impossible. As he looked at the walls surrounding the city – walls thick enough that people made their homes inside the walls – he might of prayed, “Yahweh, how am I supposed to accomplish this? It’s impenetrable!” Then maybe God recalled to Joshua’s mind how they had just crossed the Jordan river on dry ground, which recalled how the previous generation had crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. Maybe Joshua’s next thought was, “I’m not able to do this, Yahweh, but you are. Show me how I’m supposed to do this work for you.” As he stood there, he looked up and saw a man with a sword stood there with him. Joshua asked, “Are you for us or against us?” As he asked, his hand might have been on the hilt of his sword ready to draw it as his eyes scanned the area around them to see if there was an entire army lurking nearby, maybe wishing he had brought a few of his own soldiers with him. The man’s response? “I am the commander of Yahweh’s army.” When I imagine that scene in my head I can see this commander’s eyebrow raised as if to say, “Did you call? Here I AM.”
Joshua’s task was impossible for Joshua to accomplish. It was not impossible for God, because there is nothing impossible for God. But it was a God-sized task. Such tasks can only be accomplished when God steps in with His plan and clears the way. So God sent the Commander of His army to tell Joshua the battle plan as well as to encourage Joshua for the task ahead. So who is this Commander? Joshua’s response gives us the answer: Joshua “fell on his face to the earth and worshiped” Him. Further, the Commander then responded with “Take your sandal off your foot for the place where you stand is holy.” When God spoke to Moses at the burning bush, Moses was also told to remove his sandals because he was on holy ground. Joshua needed help. He needed wisdom. And God sent His commander – Jesus – to provide Joshua with the battle plan. Joshua’s response was a true act of worship: “he fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him. ‘What does my Lord say to His servant?'”
God will never give us a God-sized task without showing us the plan for accomplishing the task. He will encourage us along the way. And when it’s time to advance, He will provide the plan of action. The question becomes: How will I respond? Will I whine and complain about the impossibility of the task? Will I argue with God about how it can’t be done? Will I pull my pockets inside out and say, “I don’t have the money and resources to accomplish this plan!” Or will I humbly bow before Him, ready to obey, and ask “What does my Lord say to His servant?”
God, whenever you have a God-sized task for us, you never leave us to complete it on our own. Instead you are there with wisdom, instruction, and encouragement along the way. Thank you for using imperfect people like me to accomplish your plan. Humbly, I bow before you and ask, what does my Lord say to His servant?”
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars: This book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. Click here to purchase your copy. (This link will open a new widow and take you to Westbow Press’ bookstore.) Also available on Amazon and Barnes & Nobel. It is also available at Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel
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