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Many centuries ago, there was a major land-battle shaping up. Joshua and the Israelites were following their God. It was during a time when God was cleansing the land for the Israelites. Many people cannot believe God would destroy folks in this manner, they believe this story didn’t really happen. But it did happen and there is a lesson there. In a weary state, Joshua rested and began to contemplate the enormous task God had called him to. Looking “across the way” (across the valley) he saw a man not dressed in Jewish clothes and He was carrying a weapon of war. So Joshua confronted the man and asked if he was going to fight for the Israelites or the enemy. If we stop right at this point, where Joshua approached this man in fatigues, how would you have responded to this same situation? Would you have courage to challenge this person on your own? In a huge way, God is asking the same question to us. If God is leading us to our promised land (Heaven) are we going to confront the enemies of our choices? Without fear, Joshua confronted the stranger: when he was identified, Joshua fell to his knees. Joshua was God’s earthly, military, General and he was face to face with God’s Heavenly General; the one who was doing all “the heavy lifting” for the Jewish people. Up to this point, the earthly General was probably following God just on his own strength, believing that His promises were true. Joshua must have needed some confirmation for the task ahead. This story points to the fact that maybe God is expecting to see some measure of response from each of us! If He is working for us in the building of our faith shouldn’t we ask ourselves who we are working for? Shouldn’t we be willing to follow His leading? and shouldn’t we be willing to confront the obstacles working against us? Blessing to all who choose to destroy the strangers within our thinking. To those who doubt this story is true, my advice is for you to check the strength of your belief system. One of the truths behind this statement is that each of us need to know the word of God is not given for debate. It is given as a measure of truth, to strengthen belief.