Happy Friday, everyone!

Have you noticed how much of our world today seems to be focused on taking sides?

Everybody has an opinion.
Everybody has a position.
And everybody seems pretty convinced that they’re right.

I wonder if somewhere in all of that we have lost sight of God’s greatness. Not that He’s actually become smaller, but perhaps, we’ve made Him smaller in our own thinking.

There’s this really interesting moment that happens in Joshua 5. Joshua is preparing to lead the Israelites into Jericho when he encounters a man standing before him with a drawn sword.

Joshua asked him a simple question, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” (v. 13)

In other words, “Whose side are you on?”

And I love the answer. “No, but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” (v. 14)

“No”?

Joshua gives him two choices. But the answer doesn’t fit either one.

God wasn’t being neutral about what was happening. He had already promised to lead His people.

But Joshua needed to understand something.
God wasn’t there to follow Joshua’s leadership.
Joshua was there to follow God’s.

And I wonder how often we get that backward.

We want God to agree with us.
We want God to affirm our opinions.
We want God to bless the plans we’ve already made.

But God doesn’t need our advice or our approval. His truth doesn’t change based on what you or I believe. And quite honestly, our plans — even our best plans — without Him, are foolishness.

The Apostle Paul asked us to consider in Romans 11: “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Who has been His counselor?” (Romans 11:34)

That is a really humbling question, isn’t it? I mean, when was the last time that God asked you for your advice?

But here’s what I find even more remarkable. This Sovereign God, who owes us absolutely nothing, gives us everything in Jesus. Jesus didn’t come because we were right. He came because we were sinners in need of a Savior. And through His death and resurrection, He has given us forgiveness, mercy, and new life.

Now back in Joshua, we see that Joshua falls on his face and worships. Maybe that’s a good position for us to consider this weekend.

Instead of spending so much time trying to convince everyone else that we’re right, maybe we would do better to spend a little more time listening to the One who is always right — to humbly bow before the King of kings and the Lord of lords and say, “Not my side, but Your side, O Lord.”

Prayer
Lord, who can know Your mind or offer You counsel? Forgive us for the times we act as though You need our advice. Or expect You to take our side, rather than humbly following Your lead. You owe us nothing, and yet You’ve given us everything in Jesus Christ. Help us to come before You with hearts full of gratitude, with ears that are ready to listen, and our entire being willing to follow. For from You and through You and to You are all things. Let our words, our choices, and our lives bring glory to You, not to us. To You be the glory forever. Amen.

Final Thought
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