Be Strong
Leadership is often a desired position yet one of the most challenging.
Being a leader means you can cast vision, inspire change or greatness, motivate, solve problems, and get the job done. However, while there are perks to being in a position of influence, there is also a price to pay.
Leaders are held to a higher standard, must walk above reproach, and at times, will make less than popular decisions. But, unfortunately, those decisions can lead to tremendous amounts of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.
If you’re in this position, you may have the skillset and drive to make a difference. But skill set and drive are not enough to sustain you in adversity. We need something more. Something to feed our soul when the fire is running low. Something to help us keep on the right path and push on.
Joshua 1:5-9 says, “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Joshua 1:5-6 (NIV)
In this chapter, Joshua (Moses’s assistant) was charged to lead the people over the Jordan after Moses had passed. He went from assisting the leader to becoming the leader—all responsibilities for these people and decisions were now his to make. I am sure the stress was great as he thought of finishing the work Moses had started.
Joshua was there when the Israelites complained and watched as Moses interceded. He saw Moses act in his strength and witnessed all the times he got before the Lord for wisdom and guidance. He watched Moses both mess up as a leader and seek forgiveness. Joshua understood the weight of responsibility and so naturally had some fear.
But God encouraged him. In verses 7-9, He said, “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:5-9 (NIV)
I love the end of this verse, “Have I not commanded you?…” see If God put you in a position of leadership. If he opened the door for you to lead a company, a team, or a ministry of some sort, Then He has already paved the way for you to walk in that call and do it well. It requires strength and courage and complete confidence and trust in God, especially in our weakness. And it requires obedience.
So, if you are in leadership and you are at a crossroads, I would encourage you to
- Seek God in all circumstances and obey the direction he puts before you. (Even if it’s not the popular choice)
- Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, not on circumstance
- Meditate on his word. Allowing it to come alive inside of you so we can pour it out.
- Never compromise your character. The greatest leaders of the Bible followed God’s word. We are no different. Read and walk out the word. This way, you may be above reproach.
Lastly, remember God Commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous and told him that he would not leave nor forsake him. Like Moses & Joshua, he will also be with us. In our weakness, we need to choose to trust in the Lord and lean on him for understanding. In that posture, we will find strength, courage, and the ability to walk in peace. In our obedience, God will prosper us.
