STRAIGHT BEFORE. Joshua 6:5. “The people shall ascend up every man straight before him.”
If I go “straight before,” I will not be stepping on another man’s toes.
If I go “straight before,” I will not be looking back over my shoulder for any reason.
If I go “straight before,” I will be minding my own business.
If I go “straight before,” I will know where I am going.
If I go “straight before,” I will be taking ground for the common good.
If I go “straight before,” I will be doing what God says.
If I go “straight before,” I will know what I have accomplished.
If I go “straight before,” I will know, and others will know, where I have been.
If I go “straight before,” I will take responsibility for the gains and losses.
If I go “straight before,” I will not be comparing my gains or losses with another person’s.
If I go “straight before,” I will know who the enemy in front of me is and where he is.
If I go “straight before,” I will know when I have finished the task God gave me.
If I go “straight before,” I will be tired when the battle is over, glad that I shared in it with others, thankful that by God’s grace, help, and power – we won!
“O Almighty God, our Father: The war is on! I know it, I feel it, I see it all around me. The pressures are on to dodge here or there, to take shortcuts, to keep from getting hurt, or not to hurt someone else. But I know that is not the way battles are won. The enemy must be resisted; the gates of hell must be attacked. Somebody will get hurt. That’s just how war is. But Father, thank you for providing this armor – it works, it really works! Every piece is in its place, and even though I get scared when it’s used, it works. What a relief! The shield sometimes feels heavy – actually, the whole armor seemed a bit much at first. But now, as the war rages, I’m grateful for every piece, and Father, even though I didn’t realize it at first, my muscles are growing, and the armor feels like a part of me now. Thank you for arming me beforehand and being patient with me until I got used to it. Amen.”