Picking Sides
By: Dan Seale
“Auburn or Alabama football?” That seemingly life or death decision, was the first question I was asked when I moved to Alabama. Moving to Raleigh some asked, “Blue Devils, Wolfpack, or Tarheels?” but with less urgency. Oh, for such simple questions. Today, everyone wants to know if we are on their side, on the issues that are life or death to them. We, likewise, want to know if people are on our side on the issues that are important to us. It seems we are being forced to pick sides on a multitude of issues.
I’ve recently been struck by the application of Joshua 5:13-15 to our current season of life and picking sides.
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, ‘Are you for us, or for our adversaries?’ And he said, ‘No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, ‘What does my lord say to his servant?’ And the commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, ‘Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.
A stranger walked towards Joshua with his sword drawn, a threatening posture. Joshua was the appointed general to lead God’s people into the Promised Land and to defeat their enemies, and it would seem natural to be either with Joshua or against him. Yet, the commander’s answer to Joshua’s question was disarming, “No.” No?! What kind of answer is that? Joshua gave this man a clear either-or question, “are you on my side or the enemy’s?” The mystery warrior was saying to Joshua, “You have it wrong. The real questions is ‘Are you with me?’”
Joshua apparently asked the wrong question – like asking, “what shape is yellow?” or “what color is a triangle?” That is a fundamentally wrong question and yet, let’s be honest, Joshua asked what seems like a reasonable question. The warrior’s question challenged Joshua’s perspective. Upon hearing the commander’s answer, Joshua kneels in worship before the warrior who I think is a Christophany (Jesus visibly appearing in the Old Testament). Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lord, accepts Joshua’s worship and informs him that he is on holy ground.
Like Joshua, we should be slow to presume that our position (or opinion or cause), is the position of the Lord. Instead, we need to be sure that we are walking in obedience and following Him, the commander of the army. In short, we need to, with humility, ask ourselves if we are on God’s side.
The following prayer from, Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year is based on Joshua 5.
Sovereign God, I want to claim you for my cause, but you will not be made a mascot for my team; you call me to your kingdom. Rule me by your Word and Spirit so that more and more I may stand on the holy ground of obedience to you. In the name of Christ, Amen.
May we learn with Joshua, who later said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” to pick the Lord’s side.