Moses was one of the most powerful people in the
entire Bible. He experienced moves of God that we still celebrate
today. His life is marked by the protection and provision of God.
Yet when Moses was gone God put in place Joshua who
learned from Moses. It isn’t easy to be second in command or to follow a
great leader, but Joshua had something going for him that we need to remember
and hold on to. Joshua was chosen by God to lead God’s people.
The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you
a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I
am with you, just as I was with Moses.
Some people have great ability. Some people
learn or work on their leadership abilities. Joshua had both, but on top
of that God was at work in Joshua’s life. He was made great as God’s hand
was on His life in the same way that Moses had the hand of God on his life.
Each of us are leaders. We may lead a few
people or lots of people. Making sure that we are leading people in the
right direction is something we must take seriously. When we do what is
right and pursue God, the blessings and hand of God will be seen in our lives
and in our leading. I desire for that to be continually true of me and my
leadership.
The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off
your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua
did as he was told.
One of the best ways to assure that God’s hand is on
you is to spend time with God. It was not a coincidence that Joshua was
in a place where the presence of God was. That must have been an awesome
meeting.
Spending time with God sets the path that we are
on. Time with God also sets us up to be able to lead others to know God
and to be successful in life.
So the Lord was with Joshua, and his reputation
spread throughout the land.
Joshua guarded his reputation because he wanted to be
used by God. His reputation wasn’t something that Joshua worried about
because he wanted to look good. God protected Joshua as Joshua led God’s
people in the direction that God was opening for them.
The following prayer was in our family devotion last
night. I desire to lead people closer to God. May God use each of
us. Whether we are the first to lead or leading in someone else’s
footsteps or a part of a team, let’s pursue God while leading others to do the
same!
Thank you,
heavenly Father, for helping me to recognize my need for you. Grow in me
a heart of love that reaches others with the truth of your love for them.
Keep me sensitive to your leading when the time is right and hearts are
ready. (taken from the
Revealing Jesus with Darlene Zschech devotion on YouVersion.com, day 9)
NOTE: this post
was first shared in March of 2014.
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