Where Do We Stand?

            And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked . . . (Josh 5:13a)

What was Joshua doing, looking at Jericho? What was going through his mind? He knew God had a mission for him. Here we are. This is the enemy we’re to destroy. It starts here.

Jericho is like our sinful nature. It’s evil, it’s strong, and it must be destroyed. How do we view our Jerichos? Do we survey them from a distance, pondering over how to conquer them?

Or are we caught up in the joys of Jericho, living according to the flesh, stimulating our emotions with movies and music, buying satisfaction from materialism, and laughing off gossip and profanity?

There’s no sense of mission in that kind of lifestyle. There’s no urgency to conquer. That’s not surveying Jericho—that’s living in it.

As Christians, we’ve left Egypt. We’ve been justified by faith and baptized—Christ’s blood has removed the reproach of our sins. We’re enjoying God’s blessings spiritually and physically. Maybe we’re thinking that’s it—“I’m saved!”

But, crossing the Jordan isn’t the end; it is the beginning. Perhaps in our hearts there still lies a vast land infested with firmly-planted sinful desires that have yet to be uprooted. Do we feel a sense of mission and urgency like Joshua felt, to face the daunting and arduous battles ahead? Did we cross over the river Jordan armed and prepared for war (Josh 4:12, 13)?

            And behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand . . . He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshipped . . . Then the Commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Josh 5:13b-15)

Joshua encountered God personally. He was able to stand on holy ground.

What is our mindset? Are we standing afar outside of Jericho looking upon it with purpose, or are we standing in it, enjoying its illusion of fortitude and pleasure? Where we stand determines whether or not we encounter God. It determines whether we are on His side. It determines whether our feet are on holy ground.

Where do we stand?

 

            Question for Reflection:

Do you feel a sense of mission and urgency to face the daunting and arduous battles ahead?