Message Minute
Your Message Minute with Pastor Chris Byars
Joshua 5:13–14, MEV
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Now when Joshua was by Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him. In His hand was His drawn sword. Joshua went to Him and said, “Are You for us or for our enemies?” He said, “Neither, for I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” Then Joshua fell with his face to the ground and worshipped. Then he said, “What does my Lord wish to say to His servant?”
Joshua 5:13–14, MEV
The greatest weakness of most leaders is forgetting from whom their authority comes. Joshua was not a great leader or warrior because he was the greatest strategist or fighter, but he always knew who was in charge. When confronted with this warrior standing before him with a sword drawn his words were to confirm on which side this man was serving. When advised that he served the Lord and was indeed an angel, he bowed and was ready to listen because he knew that it was not he who was winning the battles but the Lord. We are called to be always bending our knees to God and those whom He places in authority over us. No matter the standing we hold in our lives, we will always be under the authority of God. He is always in charge, and we are called to be His servants. When we forget this and create an imbalance, we find trouble as we found and continue to find with God’s chosen. Our hearts are not geared to submission, but in Christ, we are called to our Lord and are given new hearts that are not hardened against God. As we lay down our authority before the authority of our God, He uses us in ways beyond our comprehension as a people sent to proclaim His peace.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.