I love to watch my boys play basketball, but this particular game was a little different. They were facing each other. So I did as any good parent would do, I cheered for both of them.

They are both my children. It didn’t matter to me who won. I wanted them to learn and grow both in skill and in character from this experience.

In the book of Joshua chapter 5, Joshua is getting ready to conquer the land of Jericho. Verse 13 states, “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?”

God’s Response: “Neither, But as commander of the Lord I have now come.”

I don’t know about you, but when I face a dispute or a heated argument , I want to make sure all involved (and maybe even those not involved) are aware of my side of the story. I tend to offer up suggestions in prayer as to how God can “fix” my situation and my opposer.

But God loves all of his children. Max lucado writes, “God doesn’t take sides. He is never against his children. Even the evil Canaanites, who had long ago turned to worshiping idols, were candidates for His mercy. Had Jericho turned and repented, God would have received them as He received Rahab. He is for His children. And He is for you.”

So what did Joshua do in response to the Lord’s reply?

Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence and asked Him, “What message does my Lord have for His servant.”

In other words, ‘What message does the Lord have for ME?’

Are you up against your own Jericho today? Opposition can be found anywhere. At home with a parent, spouse or child, at work with a boss or co-worker, or even at church amongst friends and fellow believers.

Whatever your opposition may be, can I encourage you to do as Joshua did.

Rather than just asking God to “fix” your opposer, ask the Lord if He has a message for YOU. God loves you and wants to cheer you on. But He loves all His Children and desires most importantly for each of us to grow and mature in Him.

– Binu