March 19, 2014

Joshua 5:  ¹⁵ The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Joshua has crossed the Jordan, with the Lord holding back the waters as He did at the beginning of the Exodus.  He has had all the young men who were born in the wilderness circumcised, as God ordered.  They have celebrated Passover.  Now he is waiting to take the Promised Land.  That is when he finds the stranger.  He asks if the man is for him or against him.  The man tell him neither, for he is the Lord's commander.  Then he makes this remark.

I can't read this without beginning to sing "Holy Ground" in my head.  I love that song, and I love the story.  Joshua is mighty, he has been effectively crowned as Moses's successor, and yet he approaches the stranger rather humbly.  And when he finds out who he is talking to, Joshua reacts with characteristic faith and follows his instructions.

Prayer:  Lord, make me as willing a servant as Joshua.  Let me see Your representatives when I approach them, and guide my words and actions to find out what directions they bring me from You.  Let me never be hesitant to worship, just as I am, wherever I am.  I want to stand on Your holy ground, too, and I want to follow Your will for me there.
Amen