Commander of the Army of the Lord, we worship you
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord‘s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
You don’t know the person who is standing before you with a sword in their hand. So, of course, the first thing you want to know is whose side they’re on. Joshua asks. Then, he’s blown away by the answer. The commander of the army of the Lord is the one standing before him. Joshua fell on his face and worshipped Him. Note the Commander’s response. He didn’t tell Joshua to stand up or not to worship Him; that he was a man like him; or even an angel. Rather, He permitted Joshua to worship and even told him to take off his sandals; for the place was holy because of His presence.
How many times do we forget we’re in the Lord’s presence? How many times do we forget the Lord, the Commander of our life, is within us?
I’m guilty of forgetting. I’m guilty of not honoring the Lord as I should. If you feel the same, it’s never too late for us to start honoring our Lord more reverently. How?
- Recognize that His Holy Spirit is in us.
- Set sin away from us.
- Worship Him.
How did the Commander of the army of the Lord respond to Joshua’s question, “What does my lord say to his servant?” He answered, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” I believe He would say that to us today.
Lord Jesus, Commander of the army of the Lord, forgive us our sin. Forgive us for treating You with contempt. Help us be more mindful each day of Your holy presence in our lives. May our lives reflect our worship of You.