‘No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”’ Joshua 1:5-9(NLT)
Numbers 14:5-9 – “5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, ‘The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.’”
In the midst of people second-guessing God, Joshua stood his ground and stated “…The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid…”
There are many things I love about Joshua; in fact, I named my first born Joshua. But the best part of this passage is that Joshua wasn’t just stating his opinion but rather testifying to what he had seen and what God said He was going to do for the people of Israel.
A leader isn’t just the loudest of the group, and he is not the biggest of the group. He is the person who God has positioned and prepared for the role of leadership. While it may not have been anticipated, it was a seamless change of leadership from Moses to Joshua because God had prepared Joshua ahead of time. Notice that Joshua stated his view and challenged the Israelite assembly. He didn’t insult them or intimidate them… he spoke the truth! God’s Truth!
What kind of leader are you? Are you the most forward in the group and the first to step up? Or do you only seek the role of leadership when no one else will? While leadership skills may be built into your DNA, those skills have to be honed to be a benefit for others. How many times do you hear Jesus yelling at people to get their attention in the Bible? People would gather around pushing and shoving just to get near him and listen to what he had to say.
Leadership comes in many forms, and you may find that your family is waiting for you to lead. Your career is waiting for you to lead. Do so with God leading you.
Questions:
Is God preparing you for a leadership role?
Are you seeking God’s instruction to grow as a leader?
What are you doing to put yourself in the right position when God calls you to lead?
Challenge:
God did not call you to stay where you are. See God’s will for where He wants to lead you, and be willing to move when He says it’s time!
from UNCOMMEN: Uncommen Words Of Husbands, Dads, & Leaders