How Shall We Then Live?

Throughout God’s Word it is clear that God chooses some to lead His people. While all who are true disciples of Jesus Christ are called to serve Him, in their families, in the Church, at work and elsewhere, God chooses some to bear the responsibility of leadership. It is not an easy task, and while those who are leaders in the world arrogantly and foolishly imagine they can fulfill their calling using they own strength and wisdom, those whom God calls know better. These humbly understand their dependence upon the God they serve. They declare their constant need for wisdom and guidance, and they realize that their leadership is designed to glorify the God who called them and who now empowers them. It is said that “leaders are born,” but when it comes to leaders from God’s people, they must be “born AGAIN!” Joshua was such a leader. He was young and he was following a man who had led God’s people out of Egypt and through the wilderness for forty years! But God had prepared him for this time and for this place. Now it was time for him to fulfill his calling, and by doing so, to fulfill God’s purpose for his life: to lead God’s people in the promised land. As we look briefly at the beginning of Joshua’s ministry, and review a few of the events along the way, we find at the conclusion of his leadership of Israel an unchanging principle that applies yet today: God uses faithful leaders to bring His blessing to those who obey His commands. The faithfulness of the leaders God chooses, and the obedience of those they lead inevitably lead to God’s blessing because HE is at work in their midst! And then who receives the glory?? The only One who is worthy of praise!!!