Monday, July 21, 2008

Whose Side is God On?

Have you ever wondered whose side God is on? Before the battle of Jericho, Joshua met a Man with a sword in His hand. It turns out that this “man” is a preincarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. This incident is recorded in Joshua 5:13.

Joshua asked Him the question we might like to ask. He asked, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”

The answer is interesting. He said “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell on his face and worshiped. (Sometimes people in the Bible fall and worship before an angel, but the angel usually says something like, “Stand up. I’m just a creature too.”) Why is “No” an interesting answer to Joshua’s question? Because God does not take sides among men. God is the one who is in charge. He is the commander. He isn’t on Joshua’s side. Joshua is supposed to be on His side.

Who is this one? He is the image of the invisible God, firstborn over all creation. By him all things were created and in Him everything holds together. In Him all the fullness of God dwells. He is the heir of all things and the express image of God. He is the captain of our salvation made perfect through sufferings. He is not ashamed to be called our brother. He has become our High Priest, holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners yet tempted in every way like we are. He entered the most holy place with his own blood once for all. By him and through Him and to Him are all things. Amen!

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