not fighting alone

Joshua 5

"And then this, while Joshua was there near Jericho: He looked up and saw right in front of him a man standing, holding his drawn sword. Joshua stepped up to him and said, “Whose side are you on—ours or our enemies’?” He said, “Neither. I’m commander of God’s army. I’ve just arrived.” Joshua fell, face to the ground, and worshiped. He asked, “What orders does my Master have for his servant?” God’s army commander ordered Joshua, “Take your sandals off your feet. The place you are standing is holy.”

Joshua did it.

I travel quite a lot for my job, and for the occasional trip out of the country. This week I was sitting in my seat on a flight from Atlanta to North Carolina and watching from the window as a plane landed and made it's way down the tarmac to the gate. We were a little delayed so I didn't have much else to do. I have seen this a million times, but something about this particular time had my attention.

There were about six people with the lighted orange sticks guiding the plane to where it needed to stop. Others came out and put the stoppers under each wheel so it didn't roll once in position. One man was pulling the fuel line out and connecting it to refuel. Several came riding up on the carts to unload luggage, then more can to load luggage. A car with the drinks and snacks came to make sure it was stocked for the next flight. The pilots walked around the plane inspecting it. I could see people inside cleaning. And the most extravagant of all - the one who had to clean out the bathrooms! All of this was happening at the same time. Since my flight was delayed, I sat and watched as all of this happened and the plane was boarded and left the gate - all within 30 minutes.

Sitting there seeing all of this, the Lord used it to make what I had read in Joshua 5 earlier that morning become real.

When Joshua saw the Commander of God's Army, he realized that he was not fighting alone. God's army of angels was already ahead of all of Israel, fighting in the spirit, preparing the way, getting God's people ready to cross over into the Promised Land. Most of the victory happened before Joshua ever stood on the front line of battle, and was not anything that could be seen with human eyes.

Exodus 14:14 "God will fight the battle for you."

All the times we get on and off planes, we never realize what all goes into preparing it for us. If all of those that have a hand in getting that plane ready for it to take us where we need to go were not there, then what?

The Lord and His army are that for us in this spiritual battle we fight. To know that God's army is fighting ahead of you, and for you right this minute, even though you can't see it with your human eyes. Victory is happening all around you in the spirit. What a beautiful gift of protection we have over us. What else can we do but fall on our face and worship in response to that!