Mar. 06, 2022

“STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD”

“WHEN YOU ARE ALONE IN A CROWD”

JOSHUA 5:13-15

Have you ever felt alone in a crowd?

Do you think Joshua felt a little lonely at times?

If you have a burden on your shoulders today, you can learn from what Joshua does. Even if you don’t have a burden today, you will have one in the future.

Joshua. 5:13-15 “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” 14So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” 15Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.”

Let’s Look At Some Observations From Joshua 5

1.   Sometimes We Don’t See The Lord When We Need Him The Most.

This is a common throughout Scripture:

*Two disciples walking to Emmaus.

*Mary at the tomb of Jesus- thinks Jesus is a gardener.

Now notices vs.14 “So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”

vs.14 “I have now come”

He comes now “as Commander of the army of the Lord” vs.14

Jesus comes however we need Him to come.

There is no question, He is the Lord! It is God who appears too Joshua.

vs.14 “And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”

Joshua 6:2 “And the LORD said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.”

Exodus 23:23 “For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off.”

Numbers 22:23 “Now the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road.”

Balaam’s donkey recognized the Angel of the Lord.

Psalm 139:7-10

David had some fears and felt alone, but God is always there.

God is always here, always had been, never went anywhere, never took a break, never went on vacation. He has always been here, and always will.

The issue is a relationship between you and God. Maybe you have lost sight of God because of the fog or the smoke.

The Great Commission ends with:

Matthew 28:20 “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

2.   When You Are Alone In A Crowd, Really Get Alone With God.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 “That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.” 

Mark 1:35- Jesus got alone with God, His Father

Paul knew we need to study to be quiet.

Just get alone and study to be quiet.

vs.13 “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” 

1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Prove all things.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Test all things; hold fast what is good.”

God will never speak to you or lead you contrary to what you find in the Bible.

2 Timothy 4:16-17

Paul knew what it was to stand alone.

1 John 1:1-4

John had some lonely times but found God in a personal relationship with Him.

2 Peter 1:16-21

The Word of God is more sure than what you can see, touch, hear, and experience.

John 10:3 “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

When God appears to you, submit to His Lordship!

The most difficult thing is not to understand what the Bible says. The most difficult thing in your life is to do what the Bible says.

3. Will You Believe And Obey What God Says?

Joshua take your shoes off, you are standing on holy ground.

vs.15 “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.”

What God is saying is, “I want you to submit to Me.”

Acts 9:6 “So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

vs.13,14- Are You for us or against us? No! It wasn’t was God on Joshua’s side or was He on the other side?

The question should be: Who is on the Lord’s side?

Isaiah 55:8-9

2 Kings 6:8-23- Elisha prays to God to open the servants eyes. 

You must get alone with God and check out the words of God and you have to prove it out in the word then submit to His Lordship and follow God.