Scripture

Joshua 5:13-15 (New International Version)

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.

Consider

We often make the mistake of thinking that, because we belong to God, he is always on our side in a quarrel or a conflict. The truth is, our belonging to God means that we must always be on his side.

It is God’s sovereign purpose, not ours, that should define our battles. Our best chance of success lies not in asking God to win our battles for us but in submitting ourselves to him and aligning ourselves along the battle lines he chooses.

We may be surprised to learn that the real battle lies not with our human adversary but within our own minds and hearts as we face thoughts and attitudes that must be defeated, such as bitterness, anger, disappointment, fear, vengeance, or the need to control.

Pray

FATHER, help me to release my quarrels and relationship problems to you. Redefine them in the light of your good and redemptive will, so that I may ask, How can I best serve God’s purpose in this situation? Help me to recognize when my enemy is not the other person but rather my own thoughts and attitudes that struggle against your sovereign Lordship in my life.

Reflect

James 4:7; Psalm 91:9-12

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Is there a conflict in your life that God would like to redefine for you?