Joshua 6:1-27 The Fall of Jericho

Here is the military strategy that God gives Joshua to bring down Jericho. The priests were to blow the trumpets in front of the ark while walking around the city walls. They walked around once every day for six days. Then on the seventh day, they were to walk around the city seven times. At the seventh time, they were to shout at the city walls until they came down. 

I'm no military strategist, but this is not a strategy you will find in the books. It is ridiculous, from a human perspective and I believe it is intentional. The conquest of the promised land, the establishment of God's kingdom upon the earth should not depend on neat human strategies. The reason? If the conquest is the result of our human strategies, we can take the glory and boast about our accomplishments. But when we follow strategies that clearly have a heavy supernatural component, we cannot take credit for the results because we depend on the mighty hand of God to come through for us.

Maybe this is where I am going wrong in my leadership in the church. I am giving too much room for my leadership to shine through and very little room for the supernatural work of God. If God grants success, many will look at what I have done and not what God has done. Of course, this is no excuse for not using good strategies in our outreach, but I must ensure that everything is done in total dependence on God for every move we make. And when things turn out great, we must give all glory and honor and praise to our Commander.

Rahab received the fulfillment of the promise that she and her family would live through this conquest because of her faith in God. We need to find the many Rahabs out there that are ready to believe God and his promises. We need to bring the power of the Gospel to bear upon their lives so they might see the power of God in action. I need to have a keen sense of calling to bring into the kingdom those who are ready. I must seek the lives of those who would believe and commit to the kingdom of God. As I march forward, I seek those who would join me and welcome them in the ranks of our God.

It is obvious from this story that God wanted Joshua to know that He was with him and that he expected Joshua to trust him every step of the way. I must lead in total dependence on God. Lord, help me depend on you day by day. May I give ample room for your glory when things go well in the church. May every leader in the church see my example of dependence and follow it. 

Joshua 1:1-9 God Commissions Joshua

God's plan for his people is established and firm. It is not dependent on any one person in particular. As powerful as Moses' ministry was, the ongoing development of God's plan is not solely dependent upon him. No one person is indispensable in God's kingdom. It is a team effort to complete a relay race of sorts, and it is Joshua's turn. Moses' performance is indeed commendable, but his time is up. Moses is to pass on the baton to Joshua.

The mission is unchanged no matter the leader in charge. When the Lord commissions his leaders, he reminds them of his presence and reiterates his promises for reassurance in order to ensure confidence in performance. The confidence is not in the self, but in the Lord. He will be with his new leader in the same way he was with Moses and no one can stand against a leader God has appointed for his purposes. "I will not leave you or forsake you" is an awesome assurance, especially in the beginning of a leader's term.

The promises are encouraging and reassuring, but it is also necessary to heed the call of our God in the performance of leadership. God calls, not once, but thrice: "Be strong and very courageous!" Strength is the power to resist strain and stress. It is durability. It is the power to resist attack. Confidence in God's presence is not a shield against strain and stress. It is only the guarantee that I am not alone in the middle of the heat of battle. I must be willing to deal with strain and stress and overcome it empowered by his presence.

Courage is the attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult, and painful instead of withdrawing from it. It is not lack of fear, but the willingness to act despite of fear. It is to refuse to allow fear to paralyze me and to move forward in the name of the Lord empowered by his presence and his promises. Leadership in the kingdom of God requires strength and courage. Am I willing to heed the call?

Father, reassure me of your presence and promises. Grant me strength and courage to overcome stress and fear. May I never shrink back from your call to obey. Help me perform well during my term.