Now I have come

Joshua had wandered aimlessly for so long that it must have been daunting to actually face up to a goal such as the conquest of Canaan. Yet, here he was, staring Jericho in the face. Despite his faith, and God’s command, this still required courage.

God, in His grace chooses to reveal Joshua’s allies in the coming battle. As the commander of the army of the LORD is revealed, he states “Now I have come.” – God’s timing. Not in the wilderness, not crossing the Jordan, but now, right before the battle the commander and the army come.

Until we step up to the battle God will not provide His army. In fact, it is His battle, and His army that we join. He doesn’t need us, yet in His grace He not only uses us, but provides the resources for victory; His victory.

Joshua’s response is the right one: to fall on his face in worship. This is a holy time before a godly battle.

…that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In his letter to the Romans Paul is strongly urging the local church to build one another up rather than judging. He is seeking a gentle spirit that seeks to help and not to heckle. The Christian faith is not about proving how more spiritual we are compared to the next man: we all answer to our master, not our peers. This does not negate our obligation to admonish and discipline, but emphasises our need for love to cover a multitude of sins.

It will take endurance as we seek to go on encouraging and building up, but as we do we will speak to the world with one voice and with that one voice we will glorify God! Ultimately this is our goal in Christ, to love one another with His love and so prove to be His disciples, and in proving to be His disciples prove the wonders of His grace and mercy to His people.