Philippians 1:28-30 - Living for Jesus

Philippians 1:28-30

Message: Living for Jesus, Living Like Jesus Part 2

Time: AD 62. One of the 4 prison epistles. 

What the Lord is Saying: This was the sermon yesterday. We showed up late for church, went in and sat against the back wall in 2 seats by ourselves. He was doing the message, making his points. His points were from 28 about the opposition that we face in the world and that it is not a reason for fear, is evidence of an approaching judgment, and is proof someone is a genuine disciple. All good thoughts. And then with 29-30 the idea of Salvation is a gift, Suffering is a privilege and Trials are to be expected. All good thoughts, but to get into it I took the verse and wrote them out myself. 

28 

in no way alarmed by [your] opponents 

    opponents are present and that is a reality, but we are not alarmed by their opposition as it is expected; makes me think that the evil and this world is contrary to the gospel and it is so; we are to keep being    a people of integrity

which is a sign of destruction for them

    their persecution is the sign of their response to the gospel; in the KJV it speaks of leading to their  perdition or their loss or separation from God for all eternity

but of salvation for you, and that, from God 

    let their alarm be to me confirmation of the truth I have and being saved and this salvation is from God; their hostility is a confirmation to me of the gospel  

29

For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake 

    Salvation is for me and persecution; the gospel is for me, on behalf of Christ and what he has done. And it has been granted so it is a privilege; Acts 5:41, Peter and John "So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name." 

not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. 

    I am not merely a believer. There are many that think the Christian life is about believing, but rather it is about suffering. I suffer for Christ, on behalf of Christ, and with Christ. 

30

experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me

    There is a conflict between believing and suffering; Paul experienced this

and now hear in me.

Summary: It is a privilege to suffer, to join with Christ in His suffering and this clearly shows the separation between those called and those not called. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for your great words of truth and they beauty of these words. And how I am to submit to You and your ways. I see Lord that what I want in faith is sometimes contrary to this. I want everyone to end up in heaven and for there to be just different levels. But help me to not make your truth simply something that I want it to be, but help me to surrender to You and submit to You. I want to glorify You, not me. 

 

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Joshua 9 - Grace for the Gibeonites

Joshua 9

All the kings who were beyond the Jordan...gathered together with one accord to fight with Joshua and with Israel...They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us.”...Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live...they heard that they were neighbors and that they were living within their land...and the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders...“Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you are living within our land?"..."Because...we feared greatly for our lives because of you."...Thus he did to them, and delivered them from the hands of the sons of Israel, and they did not kill them. 

Message: Grace for the Gibeonites

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying:

Thus far, my study of Joshua: After Moses' death, the Lord calls Joshua to lead Israel to the land of Canaan, promising to be with them every step of the way. The Lord encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous as he goes across the Jordan toward Canaan, remembering God's law, and being careful to follow it. Joshua commands the people to prepare to cross the Jordan and possess Canaan. The people respond in obedience to his words. Joshua sends spies to Jericho and Rahab hides them, protects them and states her faith and belief in God and wants to be protected in the future from any wrath coming.  The Lord sends the ark of the covenant (His presence) ahead of Israel in crossing the Jordan to Canaan and stills the water of the Jordan to show them His power now and in the future. The Lord asks Joshua to have 12 stones brought from the Jordan to Gilgal for a memorial of God providing his people the means to cross the Jordan. The people of the land of Canaan are amazed at God's provision. The sons of Israel are circumcised and Passover is held for the 3rd time and then the manna ceases to be provided by God. Joshua encounters a man with a sword and realizes he is Lord and this man's servant, captain of the host of the Lord, who resides on holy ground. The Lord provides the fall of Jericho, a city where people do detestable things, sinning against the Lord and with a shout, the walls of Jericho fall. The people of Israel next go to Ai, but here they take in casualties due to one family disobeying God at Jericho and not being obedient to the Lord and ultimately their lives are taken. The Lord leads Joshua on the people back to Ai to conquer it, showing them a way to ambush the people, with the end result of the king of Ai being cursed, hanging on a tree. Joshua leads Israel to build an Altar at the Mount of Ebal, at Shechem as commanded previously, to worship the Lord, renewing our commitment to Him. 

Chapter 9 - Here we have a group of kings that surround the area where Joshua is at now, ready together to fight him. In verse 3, Gibeonites are on the scene. They would like to make a covenant with Joshua. Undoubtedly, they have heard about how the Lord has led Joshua and in the process kings have fallen, towns have been overtaken and the people killed and these people are obviously sensing what might happen to them. Israel had a need to make covenants with people outside of the land of Canaan, but 3 days later it is discovered they are not outside of Canaan but in fact are current neighbors to Israel, "living within their land." Joshua spares them. They had already made an oath to them (verse. 15) so despite the news they would not go back on their words and they would let them live, but they did receive a curse (verse 22). 

Summary: The Gibeonites are spared by Joshua and Israel despite deceiving but Joshua had already made a covenant promise with them. 

Promise: The Israelites were deceived because they did not ask counsel from the Lord (Joshua 9:14). 

Prayer: Lord, help me to be an honest person. Forgive me for my dishonesty and making it out often that I am someone I am not. Thank you for your grace that you show me each day. 

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Joshua 8:30-35 - Covenant Renewal on Ebal

Joshua 8:30-35

Then Joshua built an altar to the Lord...just as Moses had commanded...of uncut stones...and they offered burnt offerings....and sacrificed peace offerings, and he wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses...and all Israel....half of them stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal...he read all the words of the law. 

Message: Covenant Renewal on Ebal

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: As expected, after the Lord has led the people to conquer Jericho and Ai, performing a significant work for the Lord, an altar is built to commemorate the event and memorialize this event. Lives had been lost at Ai unfortunately, but now a time of worship was in order. Moses is referenced as the one that directed or commanded this. And they read from the word of the Lord at this event. 

From Tabletalk, "The worship occurred in the valley between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (v. 33). This valley lay twenty miles north of Ai, in the hill country, and the city of Shechem was located there. God appeared to Abram at Shechem centuries earlier, promising to give his descendants the land (Gen. 12:6–7). Jacob later owned land and dwelled near the city of Shechem (33:18–20). God was indeed keeping His promise to give Israel the land of Canaan, for Joshua and the nation stood in the very place pledged to the descendants of the patriarchs.

This event at Mount Ebal was commanded previously in Deuteronomy 27:1-8, "1 Now Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep the whole commandment that I command you today. 2 And on the day you cross over the Jordan to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall set up large stones and plaster them with plaster. 3 And you shall write on them all the words of this law, when you cross over to enter the land that the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you. 4 And when you have crossed over the Jordan, you shall set up these stones, concerning which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall plaster them with plaster. 5 And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them; 6 you shall build an altar to the Lord your God of uncut1 stones. And you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God, 7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and shall eat there, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God. 8 And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”

Each Sunday we gather at our churches - to recommit ourselves to the covenant of the Lord, hear the curses for rejecting the Cross, and agreeing with the blessings for obeying it. We are to worship the Lord and be in covenant responsibility toward the Lord always. Each week we commit again to the Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ, trusting Him for eternal life. We think about where we have failed Him and we commit once again to live lives in obedience to Him. 

Summary: Joshua leads Israel to build an Altar at the Mount of Ebal, at Shechem as commanded previously, to worship the Lord, renewing our commitment to Him. 

Promise: All of God’s people—children and adults—should participate in the corporate worship of our God

Prayer: Thank you Lord for reminding me what church is about. It is a time for me each week to gather with other believers and renew my commitment to the Lord. I am to see that You have saved me, that there is a consequence for not committing my life to the Lord and each week I am renewing my covenant before You - to live in a way that honors You. I am reminded of truths and there are many of these truths given to me. At times Lord, I admit feeling overwhelmed by my responsibility to love and honor You. I have trouble grasping it all but keep me centered on your Grace and while I need to remain committed, you shower me with grace and forgiveness and it is you that are working. You began the good work in me and you will complete it. Thank you for living in me and reminding me each week of how you are working. 

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Joshua 8:1-29 - The Israelites Conquer Ai

Joshua 8:1-29

Now the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. (v.1)

Message: The Israelites Conquer Ai

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 7 was a little setback in their conquest of Canaan. Because of the sin of Achan and his desire to take from some of the loot that was seized through the falling of Jericho, there were men lost in the battle at Ai. This time then the Lord says to Joshua to take everyone with you to Ai (v.1) and Ai will be like Jericho, taking only its spoil and cattle as plunder (v.2). 30,000 went (v. 3).  They will bring the people out of the city and once that is done will set the city on fire (v.4-8). The people came up and camped on the north side of Ai (v.11). Joshua set some people in front of the city, about 5,000 and the king of Ai saw this, not realizing that there were more on the other side: an ambush (v.12-14). All of Ai pursued those in front leaving the city unguarded (v.15-17). What resulted was a setup or trap of the people of Ai, with Israel killing all of the inhabitants of Ai after setting fire to Ai. All the people of Ai numbered 12,000 (v.18-25). The king of Ai was hung and then threw it to front of the City among stones (v. 16-29). 

The Tabletalk reading today infers several ideas from the king hanging on the tree.

1. It was a sign to the Israelites that God’s curse was on the Canaanites and that the Lord remained determined to expel them from the land, since a body hanged on a tree was cursed by God. 

2. It was a warning to any other Canaanites who might have seen it that they would meet the same fate if they did not leave the land. 

3. It was a reminder to Israel of the severe consequences of resisting the Lord. Persistent, impenitent disobedience leads to death whether or not one is part of God’s covenant people. After all, the Israelite Achan, no less than the king of Ai, was killed for breaking God’s law.

Death is the result of every person. The image of Jesus hung on a tree for us is a reminder now to all people everywhere that death is the outcome of each person. And yet God conquers death if we trust in Him and walk in His ways. We are to be a people trusting in God. 

Summary: The Lord leads Joshua on the people back to Ai to conquer it, showing them a way to ambush the people, with the end result of the king of Ai being cursed, hanging on a tree. 

Promise: The way to have the comfort of what God allows us, is, to keep from what he forbids us. 

Prayer: Lord, I was encouraged by my friend Bobby yesterday as he took what was troubling him before you. Today, what I am struggling with is getting the work before me completed. There are many things before me and I am struggling to get them done, but rather want to focus on what is the immediate or even things that do not matter much. Help me dear God to take the time to write out a plan, to document the path. I need to get things done and I need your strength to get it done. I do not have a good attitude about things. Help me to have better direction in my life. Strengthen me. Show me the path you would have me walk and let me trust You in obedience. 

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Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin at Ai

Joshua 7

So the Lord said to Joshua, "Rise up! Why is that you have fallen on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have been taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things. Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you any more unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst. - (v. 10-12)

Message: Achan's Sin at Ai

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: At Jericho, the Lord God tells Joshua that Jericho will crumble and within the City the goods or treasures of the City will be devoted to the Lord (v. 17), to be burned and only the treasures (bronze, gold, silver, and iron) will be spared and again go into a treasury (v. 19) - thus for the use of the tabernacle. In Chapter 7, it states that Achan from the tribe of Judah took some of the things that were devoted to the Lord, under the ban or accursed (v. 1). Joshua sends spies to the land of Ai (v.2) and they said only to send 3,000 men for the people of Ai are few (v. 3). But the men of Ai struck down 36 of their men (v. 5). Joshua is broken by this and wonders now before the Lord why He has led them to this when they could have stayed near Jordan (v. 6-9). The Lord show Joshua that the sons of Israel sinned and so turned their backs on their enemies (v. 10-12). They are to destroy the items taken under the ban. Achan (family of Zerahites) does not come forward but only admits he has sinned against the Lord (v. 20) after Joshua had found him out. Joshua went and retrieved the items taken and he all of Achan's family is stoned and burned with fire and the "Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger." Sin was dealt with at this place now called the Valley of Achor (v.26). 

The Lord provides direction to his people as to how they are to fight the battle and he does amazing things in the process. But in that process he tells them things they are to do and not to do. This story is similar to even the story of Adam and Eve in the garden. God provides everything they need but tells them to not eat of the tree of garden. They disobey and mankind is cursed. In this situation, not all people are cursed, but only those that commit the offense - Achan but there is also a defeat at Ai that occurs, in the killing of 36 men. The moral seems clear - accept God's providence which includes his directions and stay close to them. I think of the Jewish people and they seem to stay close to God's laws and yet don't accept the Messiah he provides. Christians accept the Messiah and yet many continue to live their own ways. We are to be a people that accepts the gift of God, but also adhere to his rules. 

The Lord did not fail to keep His promises. The people failed to be obedient and failed to keep their promises. 

Summary: The people of Israel next go to Ai, but here they take in casualties due to one family disobeying God at Jericho and not being obedient to the Lord and ultimately their lives are taken. 

Promise: Our private sins have an impact on others. Be quick to turn from all sin. 

Prayer: Lord, I admit I hide at times in my sin and think that it is only affecting me. But I have seen my anger hurt others and cause lasting problems not only to me but those in my family's path. Obedience to Your ways is what matters and I need to simply live my life in obedience. I am to honor You in all I do. Thank you for your amazing providence and all that You provide for me. Help me God to be good stewards of what You have provided and continue to provide. 

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Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho

Joshua 6

And it came about at the seventh time, when the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, "Shout! For the Lord Has given you the city." - verse 16

Message: The Fall of Jericho

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: This is a hard text to read. The text states that the Lord told Joshua that he and all the men will march around the city once for six days (v.3) and seven priests will carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark (v. 4). Then on the seventh day, all will march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing their trumpets. And then their will be a long blast with the ram's horn and the city wall will fall down (v. 5). Joshua clarified with the people that only on the 7th day are they to shout (v.10). Only Rahab will live or be spared (v. 17). From the city of Jericho, silver, gold, bronze, iron are set aside for the treasury of the Lord (v. 19). They shouted and took the city with the wall coming down (v. 20). Everything in the city was destroyed - man/woman, young/old, ox/sheep/donkey. Rahab and her family were spared (v. 23). Everything else was burned (v. 24). Then an oath was given by Joshua to not rebuild this city (v. 26). 

A city like Jericho was fortified with a large wall around the city as a defense, preventing them from being captured. With gates shut, it would be difficult to penetrate the city. The people of Israel must have thought it to be preposterous that they are to simply walk around the city 6 days one time and they 7 times on the 7th day and the wall would come down. But this is also the God that parted seas. They were given a command and the followed through on it and did as they were told and the wall came down as they were told it would. 

It is hard to read of those people, that they were annihilated. Yet the Canaanites were a people that only at this time were told they would be annihilated. Only for this time. Why? For they practiced detestable things. They were guilty of sin and encouraging others to sin and their ruin was prophetic. Deuteronomy 20:16-18, "Only in the cities of these peoples that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes. But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hitite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, as the Lord your God has commanded you, in order that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the Lord your God." Also Leviticus 18 is a warning when the Lord says, "You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes." 

This is a stark reminder that not all people are part of his saved ones. There is wrath to come for the impenitent. Rahab escapes by trusting in God. The goal is for people to be a people of faith, walking with God, trusting Him. 

Summary: The Lord provides the fall of Jericho, a city where people do detestable things, sinning against the Lord and with a shout, the walls of Jericho fall. 

Promise: The Lord will bless us when we fight according to the means He has given us.

Prayer: God, thank you for placing me on your side. There are consequences to people seeking their own way and encouraging others to do detestable things. Help me be a person that shows people the right way to live and to walk according to Your ways as you have intended. Pull the blinders off of people that act in way that does not honor you. Help people to read your word and see from it truth, the truth of who you are. Thank you for showing your power and your providence through these people and continuing to show how you provide for people that you have called. 

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Philippians 1:1-27 - The Gospel is Preached

Philippians 1:1-27

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come to and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (verse 27). 

Message: The Gospel is Preached 

Time: AD 62. One of the 4 prison epistles. 

What the Lord is Saying: This was the sermon yesterday at church and I admit, I listened but also spent time studying the entire chapter, wanting to better understand the context and what led up to this verse in 27 that the pastor had said was really a hallmark verse. He made mention that his entire sermon would be on 1 verse. 

I was kind of just overcome by the words in Philippians 1 about this and what Paul was saying. Verse 12, “My circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.” Verse 17, “I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.” Verse 18, “Christ is proclaimed.” Verse 20, “Christ shall even now be exalted in my body.” Verse 21, “To live is Christ.” Verse 24, “Yet to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” Verse 27, “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” — this idea is so central. It is all about the gospel to Paul. And living for Christ is what it is about. I can’t help but think of the elders, the Mormon (LDS) Missionaries I have been speaking with and their focus right from the get-go about church and specifically my need to get to their church. And their central prayer that I am to pray is not about Jesus, but about the Mormon church and the Book of Mormon and believing in Joseph Smith. Why this extreme focus on Joseph Smith? Why not a focus on Jesus instead and the gospel. Just that idea.  

But looking at this also makes me think about the gospel, that for this text is assumed. It is expected that the reader know what the gospel is exactly. Philippians is AD 62 and Paul is in prison. I Corinthians 15 (AD 56), “I make known to you the gospel preached…received…you stand…you are saved.” “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 

Each of the gospels show Jesus’ life, his ministry, his death and his resurrection. And each are titled, the Gospel According to…. His entire life - living, death, burial and resurrection - is the gospel. And this is the message that Paul says we are to preach but also our lives are to be lived proclaiming...always. 

Prayer: Lord, remind me today that my living daily is to live worthy of the gospel of Christ. Help me to be focused on the gospel of Christ. We are here for the gospel of Christ. Christ is to be proclaimed. Lord, you shall even now be exalted in my body. I want to live Christ. This is why I live. This is the reason I conduct my life. What is the gospel? It is the good news that Jesus saves, that Jesus loves me and gave me new life in Him. 

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Joshua 5:13-15 - Joshua Meets the Commander of God's Army

Joshua 5:13-15

13 Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” 14 He said, “No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” 15 The captain of the Lord’s host said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Message: Joshua Meets the Commander of God's Army

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: In the previous verses, Joshua and company are at Gilgal, on the eastern side of Jericho and it is there they circumcise the males (not previously circumcised) and then celebrate Passover for the 3rd time. And then provision of manna ceases as it is no longer needed. Now picking up verse 13 Joshua continues to be "by Jericho." Not sure if he has progressed any further past Gilgal. He is still by Jericho. I learn that Jericho was a well-defended city, difficult to capture, but a great holding ground for those forces that could attack Joshua and others, so getting past it would be quite an achievement. 

Joshua states that a man is standing opposite him, with a sword drawn and Joshua said, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?” This is not a vision. Joshua sees a man with a sword drawn to show Joshua that he is speaking to him about what is before him. This man knows. 

The man then testifies that he is the captain of the host of the Lord. "I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord.” Joshua recognizes the man and falls on his face and bows down. Verse 15, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.”

What is this here? This seems to be a visible manifestation of the Eternal Word of God. Exodus 3:2 at the burning of the bush states, "And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush." 3:4, "God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And in verse 5 says, "remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." The same words are spoken here with Joshua as at the burning of the bush. 

In Numbers 22:31, Balaam had his way blocked to the vineyards by a man standing with a sword, "Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground." 

In Judges 13:3, "the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman (Samson's mother, wife of Manoah) and said to her, "Behold now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and give birth to a son." 

Isaiah 63:9, "In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old." 

Psalm 34:7, "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them."

Malachi 3:1, “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts."

The angel of the Lord is distinct and yet identified with Jehovah. The eternal word of God and the angel of the Lord (Captain of the Heart) are one and the same. And this figure states his function. Joshua sees himself as a servant to the Lord, and so sees this One as having authority. He is a man that stands outside of the house of Israel or any of the adversaries for he states he is not on either one's side. 

This is an interesting set of verses - important in the life of Joshua as he is receiving confirmation repeatedly of the Lord at work - through circumcision, the Passover, manna removed, and ultimately confirmation that the Lord God is there, with him. He has this protection from God. 

Summary: Joshua encounters a man with a sword and realizes he is Lord and this man's servant, captain of the host of the Lord, who resides on holy ground. 

Promise: God will anchor us always with Him and provide us with the assurance that He is with us as we encounter life's challenges. 

Prayer: Lord, I think of Joshua and this man that you called to lead the people of Israel to the promised land, a land you promised to them. There was a goal that you had for them and their was to be joy in the journey, as you led them and were over them continually. You parted waters and then instructed them to signify this with a sign of circumcision, an inner change and then also the Passover, and finally confirmation that You are there. You were with Joshua and you are with me. You are there with me throughout all of life's challenges, providing me peace and as my guide through those situations. At times, I will walk through life, with only a promise, but at certain times You do reveal yourself to me and I thank you for those times, when you show me. And you show others your power, and the peace found in You. 

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