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 5:15 NIV
Miracles all around them:
God’s visible faithfulness in the form of manna.
God’s tangible protection and fatherly care as He provided fresh drinking water, meat to eat, and a warrior-leader, wise and careful to listen to God’s instructions.
Dry land where raging waters rushed moments earlier.
The people crossed the Jordan and their hearts and steps echoed to the sand below their sandals. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the One True God.
I wonder, did the air whisper, The Lord is good, and His faithfulness endures forever, as they took their first breaths in the land God promised?
Remembering God’s faithfulness: Remove the Sandals from Your Feet by Shelley Pierce #Family #TeachOurChildren #Parenthood
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The Israelites camped in the plains of Jericho and kept the Passover celebration.
I visualize Joshua, worshipping in his heart as he walked through camp and witnessed the people preparing for their first Passover in the land of Canaan, maybe swallowing hard at overheard conversations. We are here today, my child, our descendants placed their homes under the blood of the lamb.
Were there many tears as the fathers retold the story of lives spared while they were yet to learn their right hand from their left? Did grandmothers’ hands shake as they formed unleavened bread and recalled the accounts of the brutality of Pharaoh and his taskmasters? I can imagine the faraway look in their aged eyes, without words to express the greatness of the Lord God who brought them from persecution to the land of promise.
One day Joshua steals away, looking toward the walls of the city of Jericho. The Bible doesn’t tell us if he was pondering the battles ahead or simply scanning the horizon.
Joshua chapter five reveals he looked up, and not far from him stood a man with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua stepped forward, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
“Neither,” the man replied. “I have come as the commander of the Lord’s army.”
Immediately, Joshua bowed his face to the ground and worshipped. “What does my Lord want to say to His servant?”
The commander of the Lord’s army said, “Remove your sandals from your feet. For the place where you are standing is holy.”
Joshua obeyed.
His mind must have flashed back to Moses’ call at the bush that was not consumed as it burned. God told Moses to remove his sandals because he was on holy ground. This was the beginning of God’s plan to use Moses to rescue His people from bondage.
And now, the commander of the Lord’s army commissioned Joshua to be used of God to bring His people from pilgrimage to possession.
This heavenly warrior made His purpose clear to Joshua that day. “I am neither for you or your enemy. I am for the will of the Lord God.”
Evidence of his faith, Joshua’s response was automatic. He bowed in worship and obeyed. Because he trusted God’s will, he was ready to remove the sandals from his feet and accept God’s will.
Great story, you say? You’d be right. But we have been given something greater than a history lesson.
God is not for us or for our enemy. He is for His will in our lives. Enrobed in His will we find joy, peace, strength, and success. Anxiety, fear, hatred, and confusion are absent when we are nestled in His will.
God is not for the Braves nor the Yankees.
He is not for Wall Street nor is He for Main Street.
God is not for our political party neither is He for a different one.
Our most important responsibility as parents is to grow our personal faith in such a way that our children know we are always prepared to remove the sandals from our feet. As a result, the Holy Spirit will supply what we need to lead our children in much the same way Joshua led the people.
Remove the sandals from your feet…
The Holy Spirit will supply what we need to lead our children in much the same way Joshua led the people. Shelley Pierce #Parents #Parenthood
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(Featured image by Bethany Ferr on Pexels.com)
in the Quiver 
Lots to consider here Ms. Shelley. I couldn’t help but think, as you were writing about Joshua gazing into eternity (that’s what I call it when my mind/spirit looks into/unto the heavenly realm). I wonder if he felt the same gratitude and humbleness I do when I look over my pastures to see all the blessings God has entrusted me with.
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JD, I can easily imagine he did! The book of Joshua is rich with such thought-inducing examples of God’s faithfulness.
You have a double blessing, sir. To have been given your pastures and to know from whom they came!
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Beautiful message, Shelley. Thank you for sharing this with us.
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Blessings, Esther. God faithfulness truly does endure forever!
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Thank you, Shelley, for a thoughtful post that reminds us that God is not for any political party, but for each of us to follow Him in faith and become godly leaders to our children.
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It is such a comfort to know He is for His will in our lives…there is no safer place!
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What an important lesson for us and the children we influence, Shelley. Thank you for reminding us God’s will for us is His perfect plan. I hope to remember these truths: “Enrobed in His will we find joy, peace, strength, and success. Anxiety, fear, hatred, and confusion are absent when we are nestled in His will.”
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Hi, Jeannie. Now, more than ever, we all need the security His will brings. Thank you for your encouraging words.
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Amen. Oh the beauty of sacred ground. May we bask in His will for His glory above all else.
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