Shoeless. Face to the ground. On the plains of Jericho.
This. After Joshua stares at the man standing there with sword drawn. Equipped for battle.
This. After he asks the critical question: “Are you for us or for our enemies?” (Joshua 5:13ff)
Whose side are you on? Can I trust you? Should I fight against you?
Jericho
The story comes with a soundtrack in my mind. “Joshua fought the battle of Jericho.”
Marching. Trumpets. Shouts. Walls tumbling down.
So I anticipate. This sword-wielding man will reply. Emphatically. “I’m with you, Joshua.”
But, no.
Unexpected
“Neither…” He says.
What? The unexpected throws me.
“…I have now come as commander of the Lord’s army.”
Joshua drops to his knees. Bowing in worship. And asks, “What does my lord want to say to his servant?”
This posture of submission is still not enough.
Just one more thing.
A bigger picture
“Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.”
Shoeless surrender. On holy ground.
There’s a bigger picture.
A greater loyalty.
A necessary worship.
Only then can he hear. Only then does the Lord God Almighty lay out instructions for him. Next steps.
Around walls impossible, impregnable.
Partisan politics
Election season 2020 in my country. It’s happening. Partisan politics operating full force. Pushing agendas. Leveraging loyalties.
Frantic media headlines confuse. Sound bites stir up anger, fear, and violence. And social media broadcasts it all. The good, the bad, the ugly.
As order and civility unravel, a weary public sighs.
Believers struggle in the fray as well. What does godly influence look like in this? Salt and light in the world. But not of it.
Sometimes we ask, “Are You for us or for them?”
Shoeless
“Neither.” Oh.
No political statement. No posturing.
Just a call to recognize Sovereignty. His. Regardless of who wins or loses an earthly election.
Humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God, we ask, “What does my Lord want to say to Your servants?”
And shoeless, we surrender.
The bigger picture
The reminder is clear. We serve the King whose Kingdom is on another level altogether. Eternal. As believers of the gospel, we’re members of His Kingdom, His Body.
And we are one in Christ.
Scattered across the geopolitical map of this world.
But one.
A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession. All of these.
Why?
So that we may proclaim the praises of the One who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
For we once were not a people, but now we are the people of God. We had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy.
(1 Peter 2:9-10)
Pray
I vote early. Then rest. By faith in Him.
Shoeless before the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God. (1 Timothy 1:17).
And in the stillness of worship, familiar words come to mind. So I simply pray.
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever.
Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13
What about you?
What is your prayer in the face of political partisanship? Do you regularly pray for government leaders in your home country or your country of residence?
Related posts
Entering the land – Follow Me – Be strong and courageous – Abiding in Christ – Deny yourself – Tents and altars – Standing on gravestones – Living in exile – Living hope –
13 replies on “Shoeless”
Thank you for this important message.
Thanks, Mary.
This week I helped lead a group in a study of The Kingdom and The Last Things – portions of our church belief statement. It could not have been more timely for me. Looking at the bigger picture of God’s plan from the moment of creation until the final scene when Jesus returns in glory makes me feel small and insignificant and at the same time, perfectly cared for. I played “A Strange Way to Save the World” at the end to help us remember His plans are always bigger and better!
Love this. Thank you for sharing, sister!
Kicking the shoes off!,,, Focus – fixed on Him – changes everything! Thanks for leading us there. Perfect,,
Yes! Changes everything! Thank you, sister.
I actually used this scripture and your basic insights in a message to the congregation yesterday where I am interim pastor–there is a higher commitment that unites us in diversity of political sentiments.
Amen! Thank you for sharing this, Jerry. Praying for you and Bobbye.
Wow, Susan – I normally don’t comment but read your blog every week and am blessed by it. Hope you still remember us from your TBC time way back. Anyway, I’m so glad you have the gift of putting this into words and sharing with us. Agree with everything you say and know that regardless of what the results will be HE is still the same amazing God and by HIS grace we are forgiven and can live as such people in this fallen world.
Thank you, Ruedi! Of course we remember you 😊. And yes, so thankful we rest in the One who remains the same—yesterday, today, and forever. Grace to you and Meg in these days.
What a timely word! There is always a bigger picture.. “now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, but then we shall see face to face.” Thanks for the encouragement to trust and rest in His bigger picture and plan…
Thank you for sharing this verse, April. What a glorious day that will be!
thanks for this one. It’s all in the Lord’s hands.