Is God a Republican or a Democrat? Is He a Libertarian or an Independent? In what is commonly referred to as the Culture Wars, whose side is God on?
Joshua wanted to know the answer to that question, too. “While Joshua was there near Jericho: He looked up and saw right in front of him a man standing, holding his drawn sword. Joshua stepped up to him and said, ‘Whose side are you on—ours or our enemies?’ He said, ‘Neither. I’m commander of God’s army. I’ve just arrived.’ Joshua fell, face to the ground, and worshiped. He asked, ‘What orders does my Master have for his servant?’ God’s army commander ordered Joshua, ‘Take your sandals off your feet. The place you are standing is holy.’ Joshua did it” (Joshua 5:13-15 MSG).
In response to Joshua’s question, the messenger from heaven said, “Take your sandals off.” In other words, your first order is to remember God is different than the men you are used to dealing with. Unlike men, the Lord is not on anyone’s side. He is on the side of truth. He is on the side of humility. He is on the side of righteousness. He is on the side of love. He is on the side of justice and mercy – wherever it is found. And since no country, person, party, church or group has a monopoly on any of those attributes or values, He isn’t on anyone’s “side” per se.
God is not only able to sort through all the politics, He is able to see right into the hearts of all men. We can neither hide from God in a group, nor leverage the values of any group to gain approval with God. He does not show partiality to any group but invites everyone to come to Him. “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw ALL mankind to Myself” (John 12:32). Jesus touched Jews and Gentiles, the righteous and the unrighteous. He cared not only for the poor, He also cared for the rich. He wasn’t gender biased. And He put everyone in their place by speaking the truth to all.
Even though we live in tribal times, the Lord is not caught up in the divisiveness. He is all about individual hearts, whatever may or may not be their group affiliation.
Something to take just a moment to consider today.
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