How is it, dearest Jesus, 

    that you graciously reached down to visit your chosen, 

    even so long before your time on earth? 

To tell your people that your thoughts were good, and not evil?

 

When you appeared to Joshua in human form 

    as Captain of the Lord’s host, 

he instantly knew your glorious character as Mediator, 

    and fell to the earth in adoration.

 

Hail then, you almighty Lord, you Captain of the Lord’s host,

    and of my salvation! 

You have entered the holy war and led captivity captive.  

You have fully conquered Satan and sin, and death, and hell, 

    for your people.

 

And you will surely conquer all those tremendous foes of ours, 

    in your people, and bruise Satan under our feet shortly. 

Indeed, dear Lord, you have already brought them under, 

    for by your sovereign grace in the hearts of your redeemed, 

    you have made your people “willing in the day of your power.”

 

By the sword of your Spirit, you have convinced my soul of sin, 

   and by the arrows of your quiver, 

    you have wounded my heart with deep contrition for sin. 

Lord, I fall before you, as your servant Joshua did, and worship you.

 

And with all the church of the redeemed, 

    both in heaven and earth, we cheerfully confess  

  “that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 

Amen!

 

Robert Hawker, 1753-1827, Anglican Priest

 

_____________________

 

 

When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, 

    he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him 

    with sword in hand. 

Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?”
“Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.”

At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence.

“I am at your command,” Joshua said. 

“What do you want your servant to do?”