I really can't remember if Whose Side Are You Leaning On? was a song we sang in youth group when I was a teen (back in the dark ages) or if we sang it in the early days of leading Student Ministry. If you were not a teen in the 80's or maybe even early 90's, you probably don't know it. The words were simply - Whose side are you leaning on? I'm leaning on the Lord's side? (repeat) I lean, I lean, I lean, I lean, I'm leaning on the Lord's side. Snazzy, right? Remember, these were the dark ages. Ok, here's the fun part - every time you sang the word lean or leaning, you physically leaned. It was a lot of fun and could get a little rough, depending who was sitting next to you.
I thought about that song this morning in cycle class. I hadn't been in 2 weeks (mistake) and I forgot my water bottle. I was already running late and had to stop in the cafe for water. I was a little frustrated and I didn't remember, until the instructor kept telling us to turn the gear up, that the only way I make it through cycle class is to pray. It's a great time to talk to God about Himself, what's on my heart, and friends and such. I was praying about the election tomorrow and thought about a story from Scripture and so I came home to look it up. It's found in Joshua 5:13-15, if you care to look for yourself.
Basically, here's the background: Moses died, Joshua was put in charge. The Hebrew people had been wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years and they were finally going into the land of promise. The crossed the Jordan River on dry land - not because there was a drought but because God dried it up. The people took some time to celebrate the Passover but then Joshua was looking ahead to the battle for Jericho.
Here's the encounter: Joshua was checking out Jericho and as he looked he saw a man standing with his sword drawn. Joshua approached him and asked, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?" (Whose side are you leaning on...) The man answered, "No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord."
I had to start a new paragraph right here so you could let that sink in just a bit. I have chills.
Here's why: at that moment Joshua realized to Whom he was speaking. One commentator I read this morning wrote that it was possibly a Christophany - an appearance of the preincarnate Christ. It was at that moment that Joshua fell face down. All the way down.
And that, my friends who are believers, is where I'll be tomorrow. (and you should be too) Tomorrow is a critical day. I've already voted and I voted my convictions. I fully recognize that there are believers and followers of Christ who do not share my political convictions and have voted in a contrary way. Ultimately, as believers and followers, we might label ourselves are Republican or Democrat or Independent but Whose side we are on is clear. And I'm pretty sure He's not wearing any labels. And, I can type with confidence, that no matter who the next president of our great nation is, God will still be on His throne and our knees should be used to being on the floor.
As for me, I'm leaning on the Lord's side.
Serving the King,
Jeanette
I thought about that song this morning in cycle class. I hadn't been in 2 weeks (mistake) and I forgot my water bottle. I was already running late and had to stop in the cafe for water. I was a little frustrated and I didn't remember, until the instructor kept telling us to turn the gear up, that the only way I make it through cycle class is to pray. It's a great time to talk to God about Himself, what's on my heart, and friends and such. I was praying about the election tomorrow and thought about a story from Scripture and so I came home to look it up. It's found in Joshua 5:13-15, if you care to look for yourself.
Basically, here's the background: Moses died, Joshua was put in charge. The Hebrew people had been wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years and they were finally going into the land of promise. The crossed the Jordan River on dry land - not because there was a drought but because God dried it up. The people took some time to celebrate the Passover but then Joshua was looking ahead to the battle for Jericho.
Here's the encounter: Joshua was checking out Jericho and as he looked he saw a man standing with his sword drawn. Joshua approached him and asked, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?" (Whose side are you leaning on...) The man answered, "No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord."
I had to start a new paragraph right here so you could let that sink in just a bit. I have chills.
Here's why: at that moment Joshua realized to Whom he was speaking. One commentator I read this morning wrote that it was possibly a Christophany - an appearance of the preincarnate Christ. It was at that moment that Joshua fell face down. All the way down.
And that, my friends who are believers, is where I'll be tomorrow. (and you should be too) Tomorrow is a critical day. I've already voted and I voted my convictions. I fully recognize that there are believers and followers of Christ who do not share my political convictions and have voted in a contrary way. Ultimately, as believers and followers, we might label ourselves are Republican or Democrat or Independent but Whose side we are on is clear. And I'm pretty sure He's not wearing any labels. And, I can type with confidence, that no matter who the next president of our great nation is, God will still be on His throne and our knees should be used to being on the floor.
As for me, I'm leaning on the Lord's side.
Serving the King,
Jeanette
