Affirming God’s Choice of a Leader

Affirming God’s choice of leader was crucial to the transition. Knowing that he wouldn’t be around, Moses also needed to ensure that Joshua felt confident to do the job. What does that look like? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

Deuteronomy 31:7 NLT

[7] Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land.

Stay the Course

Leading folks can be a daunting prospect. Literally leading folks into the unknown, well … Some of my folks would say,’That’s a horse of a different colour’. Despite his faith in God, despite his optimistic attitude, Joshua was aware that this season of leadership would be challenging.

Self-Check

What is your response when God calls you to leadership?

Application

Joshua was a man of solid faith. He could be found at the Tent of Meeting praying while Moses spoke with God (see Exodus 33:11). He never hid nor left, unlike the Children of Israel, who assured Moses that they would prefer to communicate through Moses. He would need that faith to see him through.

Joshua had been Moses’ understudy for some time. But being a deputy is not the same as taking the reins as chief. Moses’ words would have greatly appreciated. They were impactful enough to be recorded. All Moses said was Stay the Course. Don’t lose faith.

And that’s the word for us in this season. God is with us and is encouraging us to stay the course. It is an invitation to focus on God as we take on the weight of our current dispensation. Whether we’re in a new role or old, we can not let go until God says so.

Of course, in situations of abuse, we seek a safe and godly way out. This is not applicable to such situations.

What if God is calling you or me to lead God’s people? It could be as a preacher in church, the leader of an auxiliary, serving on the board, or even with a bigger organisation. We can not allow fear to cripple us even before we start our journey.

It could be professional, social, or educational. God’s favour is not only restricted to spiritual spaces. Our presence could be the difference needed for this season, thus God has re/positioned us to be at the heart of that transformation process. The work may seem daunting. The folks we’re called to lead may be garrulous and quarrelsome.

But we have our not-so-secret Secret Weapon with us. Yes, the Lord of Hosts is our Refuge. And if God is with us, it doesn’t matter who is against us.

Assignment

For whichever task of leadership God has set before us today, let us listen for what God says. Once we confirm that God called us, we need not be afraid.

Stay the Course

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May all we seek be found in Christ