"As Joshua was sizing up the City of Jericho, a man appeared nearby with his sword drawn. Joshua strode over to him and demanded Are you friend or foe ? I am the Commander in Chief of the Lord's Army, he replied. Joshua fell to the ground before him and worshipped him and said Give me your commands. Take off your shoes, the Commander said, for this is Holy ground. And Joshua did." Joshua 5:13-15 (TLB)
Joshua had a lot on his mind. He had never been responsible for millions of people. He was still mourning the death of Moses. Who could ever fill the shoes of Moses? Could he please the Lord as well as Moses? Joshua knew that Jehovah had made a dry highway through the flood swollen Jordan River. He knew that the Father had spoken to him, promising him success if he followed the King's Commandments. Despite all this, he had a very human response.
Joshua still had doubts. What if he didn't lead correctly, and most of his troops were killed? What if the defenses of Jericho were stronger than Joshua figured. Each doubt led to another and so on...About that time, He saw the pre-incarnate Jesus, who had come to reassure him in the battle and promised that God would lead the charge himself. Joshua's boldness returned, his Spirit soared, and he was filled with a confidence that lasted until he went home to Heaven.
Copyright 2007 Timothy E. Davis