So rule number one of my life: things never go as planned. That whole series on Proverbs 31 was a good idea, and I may go back to it. But for tonight, God has placed something else on my heart.
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So we begin during the era of Joshua. It was Joshua who led God's people into the Promised Land. He led them to conquer their foes. It was Israel against all the heathen nations, or so they thought. Joshua 5:13-15 sheds some light on the situation:
13. And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
14. And he said, nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?
15. And the captain of the LORD's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Joshua was near Jericho when he saw a man with his sword drawn. As a truly brave leader, Joshua approached the stranger. "Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?" he asked not knowing the depth of his question. Just whose side was this man on? The man's answer must have shocked the Israel's fearless leader: "Nay, But as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come." He was not on any man's side, but he was on God's side.
Now this part can be confusing. Wouldn't God have been on Israel's side? They were His people, after all. The key here is to realize that God is not on man's side. He does not side with men. It is man that must choose to follow Him and do His will.
Often people are divided. They look at situations as if they are on one side and against another side. It is common even in churches where people claim to be Christians. One group sides against another, and they can't get along. Sometimes they refuse to speak to one another. Unity is lost. People are stingy and unkind. They are so concentrated on doing what is best for their side, that they lose sight of the real goal.
It doesn't matter whose side you are on. This life, this Christian walk, its not about siding with or against anyone. It's not about who you fight or who you fellowship with. It's about who you walk beside. Walk with Christ. Be on God's side. Only then can we truly unify ourselves as Christians under God. Only then, can we be greatly used of Him.
So tonight I ask you this simple question, "Whose side are you on?"
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