The God of Angel Armies… and Sycamore Trees
I was reading in the book of Joshua this morning, in chapter 5, when the story of Joshua and the Israelites’ takeover of Jericho begins. The children of Israel have just wrapped up 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Moses has died, and God has chosen Joshua to take the helm. God dried up the waters of the Jordan River long enough for His people to pass over into the promised land on dry ground. News of God’s mighty power reached all the inhabitants of the land, causing their hearts to “melt” for fear of the Israelites (Joshua 5:1, KJV). The Israelites approached Jericho first, and city’s king was so afraid of them he shut up the gates completely, allowing no one in or out (Joshua 6:1).
About this time, Joshua stood near Jericho and saw a man standing nearby, facing him with his sword drawn. Joshua approached him and asked if he was on their side or if he was for their adversaries. The man replied “No,” and identified himself as the captain of the host of the Lord (Joshua 5:13-14). The captain did not “side” with either group of people, but stood ready to do whatever his Lord commanded of him.
Joshua did not yet know the plan for defeating Jericho. (God gave Joshua those instructions a short while later, at the beginning of chapter 6). As Joshua stood in front of the angel captain, all he knew was God had promised this land to Abraham’s descendants and to drive out the existing peoples to make room for them. Joshua didn’t know how God would accomplish all this, but God had proven Himself faithful time and time again, even when the Israelites failed to be faithful in return.
Now God’s army was standing at attention, ready to deploy at His word.
Even before Joshua knew the plan, God had already put provisions in place for the battle to come.
But “provisions” don’t always come in the form of an angel army.
Sometimes God plants a tree.
In Luke chapter 19, we read about a rich man named Zacchaeus who desperately wanted to see Jesus, but had a problem: he was short. He was so short he couldn’t see through the throng of people gathered around Jesus. So, he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree in order to get a good look at Him as He passed by (verse 4). Jesus saw Zacchaeus perched in the tree, called him to come down, and spent the day with him at his house, going against the Jewish “policy” of not eating with sinners. As a result, Zacchaeus became a believer that day (verse 9).
Years before Zaccheus wanted to see Jesus, God planted the tree he would need to climb. The sycamore may have been part of an intentionally-planted grove, or it may have been a pre-digested seed “dropped” by a bird. No matter how the seed came to exist at that location, God orchestrated it! He put that exact tree in that exact place for that exact reason. It grew for many years, gaining strength and patiently waiting for the moment to fulfill its God-given purpose.
My friend, God is doing the same thing in your life. There is nothing in this world — now or in the future — that escapes His watchful eye. There is nothing He is not prepared for.
Maybe you’re currently in a season of deep and/or numerous challenges. You’re standing on God’s promise to take care of you, but you can’t see how. The weight may feel too heavy to bear, but I assure you God has put people and things in specific places at specific times to help you, to remind you He is indeed with you through it all. You only need to open your eyes and look for Him in order to find Him (Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 7:7).
Maybe you find yourself in a season of peaceful rest. Though you can’t see it now, there may be a battle or challenge in your near future (as commonly occurs in this earthly life). If the battle will require an army of angels, I assure you they’re already standing at attention, ready to do the Lord’s will. Or if your challenge means you will need an unobstructed look at Jesus, a tree has already been planted and placed in your path.
God is not limited as we are limited, by time and space, etc. He goes before us and prepares the way. He also goes with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9). There’s not a single trial or challenge in this lifetime we face alone. Therefore, be of good courage!
As we faithfully and courageously follow Him, like Joshua, we are to humbly ask God what He would have us do (Joshua 5:14). He may ask us to do something unconventional, like the “battle plan” to defeat Jericho. Or He may ask us do something uncomfortable, like host a dinner party with “those” guests that will cause the whole town to gossip. Faithfully following the Lord, however, will always work out for our good and for His glory! Even when situations don’t unfold how we think they should, He is always trustworthy.
“Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” — Joshua 1:9
