Miraculous Moments: Day #3 Commander of the Lord's Army

    Miraculous Moments

Lent 2025: Day #3

"'But what about you?' he [Jesus] asked. 'Who do you say I am?'" 
~Matthew 16:15

The Commander of the Lord's Army
So, we are going to spend one more day with our focus being on a Scripture from the Old Testament, and it happens to be one of my favorites. It comes from Joshua, and ever since I was a young Christian, I felt encouraged by the story of the one who was appointed to follow in the footsteps of Moses. 

In Chapter 1, Joshua is reassured by God that he is to "be strong and courageous" as he leads the Israelites into the land that has been promised them. They have crossed the Jordan River, and they are currently close to Jericho; the time has come, as they will be doing battle with the people of the land. 

Joshua 5:13-15
"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."

Commander of the Lord's army? Commander of the Lord's army! While this passage doesn't mention Jesus by name, many believe this is the pre-incarnate Christ. One proof of this exists in the directive for Joshua to take off his sandals as he is standing on holy ground. This leads us to believe that this figure is much more than a heavenly messenger. Another proof goes back to Joshua chapter 1.

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

God promised to be there, and while most of the time we believe this to be figuratively or spiritually, this time God meant it quite literally.

One last proof catapults us in time to the book of Revelation as the final battle for mankind is unfolding. 

Revelation 19:6-16

"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
'Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb had come, 
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean, 
was given her to wear.'
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.)
Then the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' And he added, 'These are the true words of God.'

At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.'

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

From Commander of the Lord's Army to King of Kings and Lord of Lords! This is who Jesus is. From Genesis through Malachi--from Matthew through Revelation--Jesus is Christ. 

Oh, the magnitude and glory of our God!

Prayer: 
Almighty God, What a mighty God we serve!
Forgive us for limiting You, Lord. Forgive us for not seeking to know You better. Continue to guide us to Your Word in order to know You better. In Jesus' Name. Amen. 



"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." 
~Hebrews 13:8


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