After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Joshua 1:1-6 NIV
Joshua served as aide to Moses for many years. I doubt he realized God’s plan during those years, but God was preparing Joshua to one day lead His people into the promised land. Leadership takes strength and building strength takes time. Joshua had an inside view of the relationship Moses shared with God, and over time, he learn of God’s faithfulness. You may not be where you want to be at this point in your life, but you may be exactly where God wants you. He may be preparing you to serve in a great leadership role down the road. Enjoy the journey he has you on now, and understand the lessons you are learning are training you for God’s future call.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9 NIV
Before God gave Joshua full command of His people, He gave him some leadership advice. We too, would be wise to follow God’s plan for good leadership.
- Be strong and courageous!
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philipians 4:6 NIV
- Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
- Be careful to obey the word of God, do not turn from it to the right or to the left!
- “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25 NIV
- Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25 NIV
- Stay focused on the word of God, meditate on it day and night!
- Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 NIV
- Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:15:16 NIV
In the days to come, as Joshua led God’s people into the promised land, there were many dark nights when the rain fell and beat against his efforts! But through it all, Joshua stood strong, for his life was built on a strong foundation! If you want to be the kind of person who leads people to Christ and impacts this world for the kingdom of God, build your life on the word of God! Be strong and courageous, taking every anxious thought to God in prayer, and your labor will never be in vain. You will be blessed in all that you do!