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Whose Side is God On?

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?” “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?” The commander of the LORD’S army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. JOSHUA 5:13-15 NIV

Whose side is God on?

Neither. God is always on his side.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” ISAIAH 55:8 NLT

For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction… they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. PHILIPPIANS 3:18-20 NLT

“It is not ‘is God on my side?’ But ‘Am I on God’s side?’” Abraham Lincoln

Whose side are you on?

I choose God’s side by choosing…

To worship him

Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence… JOSHUA 5:13 NIV

If worshiping God doesn’t change you, then it’s not worship.

So fear the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone. But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD. JOSHUA 24:14-15 NLT

An attitude of humility

What message does my Lord have for his servant? JOSHUA 5:14 NIV

Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant…For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” MARK 10:42-43, 45 ESV

Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. PROVERBS 16:5 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4 NLT 

To be obedient to God’s commands

“Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.  JOSHUA 5:15 NLT

But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 PETER 1:15-16 NLT

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. HEBREWS 12:14 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a place where you can put aside the noise and distractions of the day and take a deep breath. Exhale everything on your mind that’s not from God. As you inhale, ask him to join you in this space and speak to your heart. Then consider, what are some beliefs you hold so strongly that you would be willing to fight for them, perhaps even die for them? Invite God to speak to your heart about these beliefs and take a moment to read through the Beatitudes, a famous part of Jesus’s “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5. Note specifically how he blesses the poor in spirit (the humble), the mourners, the meek (or the gentle), the righteous, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. How does humility, mourning, gentleness, righteousness, mercy, purity, peace, and a willingness to suffer seem to fit with your own passionate beliefs? Ask God to reveal to you any place where perhaps you are more allegiant to country, politics, or policies than you are to him and the kingdom of God. What does it look like this week for you to practice some of these beatitudes and worship our king over our country?

Discussion Questions

  1. What have you been learning about yourself, God, or others in your personal Bible reading time? What stood out to you this week?
  2. Read Isaiah 55:8. As you think about what this passage is saying, in what specific ways do you think God sees and thinks differently than we do?
  3. Read Joshua 5:13-15. When in your life were you sure you were on the right side, but later realized you were not? In what ways does (or should) that affect you today?
  4. Read Philippians 2:3-8. How do you think adopting a Jesus-like attitude of humility would affect your ability to understand or care for people who you disagree with?
  5. Read Joshua 24:14-15. Of the five potential idols Pastor Matt listed this weekend (politics, money, sex, family or sports), which do you spend the most time daydreaming about or pursuing? Does anything need to change in your priorities to put God first?
  6. Read Hebrews 12:14. What is one practical thing you can do this week to show people in your life that you are set apart, holy or different as it pertains to your obedience to God?