It is a natural desire for us to want to be needed. The feeling of being needed is powerful, especially when you feel that it is God that is using you. But does God really use people? Why would God use people? If God is all-powerful, why would He use humans in the first place?
There are plenty of examples in the scriptures to point to God using His people to accomplish His plan for humanity. The book of Genesis has several major examples with Adam, Moses, and Abraham. The prophetic books give us examples of several men who were used by God to further His ultimate plans. But when we zoom in and begin to examine how God used these people and what it took to be used by God, the story becomes a tad bit more complex. A great example of this is in the book of Joshua.
The book of Joshua details the life of Joshua, specifically after he took over as the leader of the people of Israel. In fact, Joshua chapter 1 describes Joshua as the "new Moses."
Obviously God was using Joshua all throughout his time leading the Israelite people, but in chapter 5, we begin to see what God desired from Joshua in order for Joshua to be living into God's plan. Take a look at Joshua 5:13-14a
13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped...
For context, Joshua is about to lead the Israelite army into a battle with Jericho. Before this battle begins, Joshua is introduced to the commander of the Lord's army, someone that many scholars argue is Jesus Christ Himself.
When Joshua comes into contact with the commander, Joshua asked Him, "are you for us, or for our adversaries?" Essentially, Joshua is asking the commander whether or not He was for them or against Him. Look at how the commander responds to this question.
14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD.
The commander responds by simply telling Joshua, "No." Now why would He tell him, no? The answer is simple. Because God is neither for us or against us. Joshua's question was the wrong question to ask.
It is not that God is either for us or against us, it is whether we are for Him or against Him. So often people want to be used by God but they do not want to fit into the will of God. They desire to be used by Him but only on their terms. If you desire to be used by God, the first question to ask is not whether God is for you or against you, but rather, whether you are for Him or against Him.
Want to learn more about God's plan? Check out these additional resources!
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