My Devotion - A Shoeless Stance

Joshua 5:1-15, Old Testament, The Bible

verse 13-15:
Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes & looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, & Joshua went to him and said, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?"
And he said, "No, rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the LORD."
And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, "What has my Lord to say to his servant?"
And the Captain of the Lord's host said to Joshua, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.

This short chapter has 2 parts. I will skip the first part, but just to mention that sometime, when things are going our way, be it in career or family or personal achievement, God ask us to do the unthinkable: "Circumcised!"
To a young Israelite, marching towards Canaan, aka the war zone, with kings and armies surrounded them , the last thing for him to do is to ...cut. You know what I mean, don't you, guys. I will be most most vulnerable, not to mention utterly uncomfortable and inconvenience to the fullest. How to fight? It really centres on trusting God for protection and provision (since the manna also stop at about the same time).

But I want to dwell on the second part, that which described Joshua's personal encounter with God. You see, the question remains throughout the ages, as it will always remain, one of ultimate authority. Who are you going to follow in your life? Who will command your allegiance? Christ or Culture? You really really can't have it both ways. (Unless you are Frank Sinatra!)

The interesting thing about taking off the sandals has always puzzled me. But I choose not to let the leg-dress confuse me with the lesson. The man with the sword, possibly the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is telling Joshua that his observation is correct, but his conclusion is wrong.

You see, Joshua recognise combat and authority. A man with drawn sword is no small matters. Joshua knew that he can either count this man as an ally or as his enemy. He is effectively asking, Whose sides are you in? Liverpool or Man-U? Of course Liverpool lah, moron!

Just kidding. The lesson is so clear and sharp. God's representative, the Supreme Commander of the hosts of Heaven, did not come to take side. HE CAME TO TAKE OVER!

"I did not come to take sides, Joshua, I came to take over. You looked surprise, Joshua". Yes, but he obeyed and then Joshua did what I think taking off sandals means. He submits. He surrenders. He chooses. It is a crossroad again. He choose the Word of God (the drawn sword) as his final order, his ultimate authority from HQ. He has decided as to who will call the shots.

God is tucking my heart again.
The truth is, until I have settled the authority question, I cannot settle any question.
Is He just "one more guiding voice" or "One and Only Voice"?
Lordship issue is always lesson no. 1. If I want to move back down the trail He intended for me as man, some priorities have got to change.
The fate and future of my family, my relationship, my son, my career all rest on this shoeless ground.
Lord, help me, I pray. To have a shoeless stance before You in all matters that count for You and Your Kindgom.