Mar 24 (Daily reading: Joshua 5-8) Today’s commentary is taken from my book:
<< Joshua was surveying the city of Jericho from a distance, perhaps calculating his strategy, perhaps wondering how on earth they would ever be able to overcome such an obstacle. Suddenly, he became aware of a Man standing nearby, “with his sword drawn in his hand.” Joshua asked him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” The Man replied, “No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord” (Josh. 5:13-15). Major Ian Thomas wrote: “The Man with the sword in His hand said, in effect, ‘I am neither on your side nor am I on their side. I have come as the Captain of the host of the LORD. I have not come to take sides—I have come to take over!’” (“The Saving Life of Christ,” pages 137-138). The Man then gave Joshua the instructions for defeating the city of Jericho. The walls would fall in such a way that one could only say, “Look what God did!” Living the abundant life with daily conquests and victories demands that we look not at the size of the obstacles but look rather at the size of our God! >> (“We Love Because God First Loved Us,” pages 15-16).
God said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors” (6:2). Also, “I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land” (8:2). God said this before the battles had even begun. The victories happened just as God said because God’s people were obedient to His commands! “The battle is not yours but God’s” (2 Chron. 20:15). “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Ex. 14:14, NIV).
– Al Gary
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