Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer

March 19: Joshua 3-6; 1Corinthians 4

Scripture: Joshua (NIV) 5:13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”

Observation: He did not come to give advice, but to take charge. Joshua became #2. Joshua could only give orders if he could take orders. The battle plan was designed to give Joshua the opportunity to prove that he could follow orders. Many times the instructions we receive from the Lord are not designed to fix the problem, but to demonstrate our obedience! Once the Lordship issue is settled, God is free to bring the deliverance needed. Obedience proves submission and submission takes priority over everything else. Once the Lord wins the battle inside a person, He can then use that person to win battles on the outside!

Application: To me it appears black and white. I am right and the other side is wrong. Like Joshua, I ask, “Lord, are you for me or for my enemy?” But more important to the Lord: is my heart fully surrendered to him? Can He trust me to do what He says?

Prayer: Lord, no one is more capable to be in charge than you! You alone are able to understand every aspect of every situation. Trusting you makes perfect sense! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!