The Calling of a New Leader--Joshua 1

In today's world, leaders are self-made. The leaders with the fewest mistakes and the greatest amount of luck rise to the top, while others falter. Few leaders seek guidance. Few leaders view themselves as less than their predecessors.

As I read Joshua 1, I can imagine the fear Joshua felt. Think about it, Moses had led the Hebrews out of slavery by "parting the Red Sea." In the weakness of the Israelites, Moses interceded. Moses knew God personally. Moses had "earned" his position of leadership in the eyes of the Israelites.

Now, Moses was dead. Instead of the great Moses, God was allowing Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan to the Promised Land. Joshua, who had no leadership training, was left there thinking about what was happening. The great leader was dead and Joshua was alone.

God stated three times--"Be strong and courageous"! Instead of being arrogant and "self-made," Joshua thought about failures. Instead of lifting himself up, he thought of the greatness of his predecessor. Instead of seeing the future, he saw himself at the time at the place he was--a weak man in need of his God.

What is wonderful about this passage is that when Joshua finally listened to God and realized that he could be courageous because he was strong in God, God rewarded him by having Joshua's men encourage him with the same words. Joshua's men accepted Joshua's leadership by stating "So be strong and courageous."

God is awesome. When we stress about the leadership positions that He puts on us, we need to think about Joshua listening to God--"Be strong and courageous." As Paul wrote to the Timothy--"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." God gives us power through the Holy Spirit, therefore instead of fearing leadership, we should embrace it.

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