Who’s Side is God On?

Read Joshua 5:13 – 15

After Joshua and the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, they were confronted with the massive walls of the city of Jericho. As they prepared to face their first battle, Joshua had this incredible encounter with an angel in Joshua 5:13-15. This wasn’t just any angel; it was the commander of the Lord’s army. I can’t imagine what Joshua thought as he looked into the face of this intimidating warrior. He asked, with both hope and terror I’m sure, “Are you for us or against us?” The angel answered he was for neither, but instead he fought for the Lord.

I don’t know about you, but when I think of the Old Testament, I tend to think of the Israelites as the “good guys” and everyone else as the “bad guys”. But this moment is significant because it sets up the entirety of the book of Joshua. As they enter the Promised Land and conquer these cities, it’s not about God being on one side or the other. God doesn’t choose sides. Rather, He has a purpose and a promise, and the Israelites are chosen to be observers of this plan. Sometimes they are even chosen to be participants in it. All they have to do is follow God’s instructions, and He will provide for them. And in case we didn’t get this concept, He made sure to include the story of Rahab the prostitute in the battle account of Jericho. Rahab and her family were the only citizens in the city who put their faith in the Lord and as a result, they were saved from destruction. If the citizens of Jericho were the “bad guys”, God would have no reason to save her and her family. This proves that anyone and everyone who follows the Lord will be received by Him, there are no sides.

I love this because it completely changes how I look at the Old Testament, and frankly much of the way I pray! So often in our culture, we have this idea that God is on our side, so we are the “good guys” and everyone else are the “bad guys”. For example, we play a football game and we pray that we would win…but that would imply that we are the “good guys” and the other team is the “bad guys” and God is with us and not them. But we are all equally sinners and equally undeserving of His grace. He does not choose sides, that’s not how He works, and yet that idea is pervasive in our daily lives.

We do have an enemy, and there’s no question that we must fight. But this day is not about good guys vs bad guys. It’s about God’s plan and how it’s inviting you to observe and perhaps even participate in His purpose today. The only requirement is to listen and obey the instructions He is giving.

How is God inviting you to His purpose today?

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