I was reading and trying to wrap my head around all this identity politics insanity and the political vitriol erupting across our land. I was reminded of a note I have inside one of my Bibles: “Our world is not divided by race, color, gender, or religion. Our world is divided into wise people and fools. And fools divide themselves by race, color, gender, or religion.”  

I remember the story of Joshua when he was met by a man with his sword drawn. It’s important that this occurred just before the conquest of Jericho. Joshua asked him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” The meaning implied is that Joshua was likely being impulsive, impetuous, and overly zealous. He needed to be reminded of God and of God’s ways. Remember the man’s response? “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come” (Joshua 5:13-14, ESV).  

The idea should be obvious. Conquest is to be done God’s way via God’s means. And God’s means in the metanarrative of Scripture is the cross of Christ. Political power cannot change the human heart; only the gospel does that. And Joshua, as mighty as he was, as gifted as he was in warfare, needed to be reminded that the ultimate battle is the Lord’s because only He is sufficient for such things.