Often when a man graduates with a business degree, he feels ready to lead a corporation. Sometimes a seminary graduate feels that he should pastor a mega-church immediately upon graduation. There is great disappointment, however, when the first leadership position is something small and unappealing. Quite honestly, a college degree does not fully prepare a man to lead a multi-million dollar enterprise. There needs to be wisdom and experience that can only come by “paying your dues.” Placing an inexperienced man in a great leadership position will place the organization and its people in peril.
Spiritual leadership is much more difficult than business leadership. In business, a leader has great tools at his disposal to get things done. He can motivate his employees with perks, bonuses and raises. Under-performing employees can be motivated to improve with the threat of termination. Spiritual leadership does not always include such tools. Instead, leaders must model, inspire and correct with limited human resources. A spiritual leader needs divine guidance and wisdom in leading people.
Joshua was not a man with great leadership ambition. Even though he was personally chosen to succeed Moses, he seemed apprehensive to the call. Throughout Joshua chapter 1, we find God continually encouraging Joshua in his new role. Why would God need to give such encouragement? The answer is simple. Joshua needed it.
Joshua was a reluctant leader. It is one thing to be a student, learning from afar. It is another thing to have the huge burden of leadership placed on your shoulders. Power hungry people fail to appreciate the burden of responsibility a leader must bear.
A second problem for Joshua came in the form of intimidation. Think of all the great miracles that occurred during Moses' leadership. It was during Moses' leadership that the plagues and miracles occurred in Egypt. Moses was the one divinely chosen to lead the enormous exodus from Egypt. The parting of the Red Sea, the provision of manna and other miracles occurred as Moses led the people. How would you like to follow a leader like that?
A third problem was the expectation of the people. You see, it is tough to follow a popular, successful leader. When Paul “Bear” Bryant retired as Alabama's football coach in the early 1980's, it was tough for his successor to fill his shoes. Most people even forget who that coach was. Ray Perkins followed Bryant, but he never lived up to the level of success that Bryant had. It is difficult to follow a successful leader.
Though Joshua was reluctant to lead, God gave him an awesome promise: “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Wow! Notice three things that God gave to Joshua. God gave Him his power, “There shall not any man be able to sand before thee all the days of thy life,”; Joshua would have God's presence, “... as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee,” and Joshua had God's promise, “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Consider the leadership of Joshua for a moment. It's true that Joshua never had the same accomplishments as Moses. But think about what did occur under Joshua's leadership. He led Israel to cross the Jordan River. Israel defeated Jericho under his leadership. The sun actually stood still as the Israelites fought the armies of five Amorite kings. Joshua led Israel to conquer the land. The land was divided to the Israelites under his supervision. No, he didn't have the same accomplishments as Moses, but Moses didn't have the same accomplishments as Joshua did either. Their work, while similar, had differences. God kept His Word with Joshua. God faithfully led Joshua to victory in the promised land.
When God calls a person to a specific work, there is often reluctance to obey. Our reluctance usually has to do with the perception we have of ourselves. We know our weaknesses, our past failures and our flaws. We know that we are incompetent apart from God. That is how Joshua felt. Like Joshua, we need to turn our focus from ourselves and our weakness, and look unto the One who is calling us. God is able to do what we cannot do. With His leading, great and miraculous things can take place. It happened with Moses. It happened with Joshua. It can happen with us.
Joshua may have started out as a reluctant leader, but ultimately his life became a testimony of what God can do through weak people.
He can do the same with us.
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