January 18th, 2026

“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 

“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” 

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 ‭5‬:‭13‬-‭15‬

The story starts as Joshua approaches Jericho, staring at a massive obstacle. The walls are high, fortified, and intimidating. Before a single military command about the city is given, Joshua encounters a man standing opposite him with a drawn sword. Instinctively, Joshua asks the question we all ask when facing resistance: “Are you for us, or for our enemies?”

You can almost hear a record skip as the man says “neither”.

The Commander of the LORD’s army has not come to take sides—He has come to take command.

In that moment, the battle is redefined. This is not Israel’s campaign with God’s assistance and it is not Joshua leading hardened war veterans into combat.   It is God’s mission in which Israel is invited to participate. Joshua’s response is immediate and telling—he falls facedown in worship. Shoes come off. Authority is acknowledged. Control is surrendered.

Before God deals with the walls of Jericho, He deals with the attitude of Joshua’s heart. 

Something to prayerfully ponder:  Where might you be asking God to support your plans instead of surrendering to His authority?