The Guidance of Joshua 1

Joshua has always been one of my favorite Bible characters.  I find his trust in the Lord to be so inspiring: Moses has died, and Joshua has been asked to step up and lead the Children of God.  With Moses as their leader, the Israelites saw miracle after miracle, from the parting of the Red Sea, to the manna from Heaven, to the Ten Commandments.  The Word says, “No one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel (Deut. 34:12).” And it was now Joshua’s turn to take Moses’s place and lead these people. 

That’s a pretty big job for an inexperienced leader.  I would be very hesitant to step into something this big.  But Joshua accepts the challenge and begins to hear from God just as Moses did.  In God’s first words to Moses, he says “Be strong and courageous” three times, and “I will never leave you nor forsake you” two times (Joshua 1).  It is clear that God will give Joshua the strength he needs to complete this mission.

After hearing from God, Joshua gives orders to his people.  He tells them to get supplies prepared to take the land God has given.  But a few groups of people had already heard a command from Moses: “The Lord your God is giving you rest (Joshua 1:13).”  Joshua understood that these tribes did not want to fight, but he asked them to “help your brothers, until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you (Joshua 1:14).”  The community attitude of Joshua’s leadership allows all members of his people, regardless of tribe or nationality, an ability to achieve the common goal together.  Only after the work is done can they all rest, together. 

The people then answer Joshua, saying they completely support Joshua’s plan.  Even after a short time as leader, Joshua has instilled trust in his people, and they are willing to follow him.  The final words of the chapter are the people echoing God’s commands to Joshua: “Only be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:18).

The opening chapter of Joshua shows us a very effective, 3-step model of leadership for us to use.  This process continued to work for Joshua throughout his whole time in leadership, through many victories and miracles, just like Moses did. 

Step 1: Joshua hears from God.  It is important that the Lord talks to Joshua in the second verse of the book, showing right from the start how important it is to hear from God before trying to lead. 

Step 2: Joshua leads clearly, giving the people a model to be followed.  Joshua very clearly shared his and God’s ideas of what would happen, with directions for how to involve everyone, even the Teubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Mannasseh, who were promised rest but Joshua knew they could help the greater good.

Step 3: Joshua brings others into the plan and vision.  The Israelite people respond to Joshua “Whatever you have commanded we will do, and wherever you send us we will go…only be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:16-18).”  These words are a direct echo from the words of the Lord at the beginning of the chapter.  This shows that Joshua influenced the people with the Word of God, empowering them to succeed in the challenge placed before.  Empowering the people you are leading should be the goal of any leader. 

Joshua’s leadership gives us a great example of how to lead in a Christian perspective.  May we all use this example as we lead others throughout our lives.

Luke Forshey

May 25, 2017

Promises of God

Promises of God

*This was written about a worship service last week. 

 

Tomorrow is the last time I get to lead worship at English congregation I attend.  I have so enjoyed the opportunity to lead worship here, getting to share my worship with worshippers from all over the world, with various traditions and music styles to learn and experience.  Regardless of where I lead worship next year, I will miss the diversity of people and worship styles that we experience in this congregation. 

As I was praying about what theme to focus on tomorrow, I was repeatedly struck by the word “Promises.”  God’s promises will carry us through whatever difficult times we face. God’s promises stick out because of the vast contrast that God’s promises present to human promises; His are always true, one hundred percent of the time, where as human promises often fail.  Politicians promise to implement these great reform measures, yet fail to find funding in their government.  People promise to love each other when they get married, yet 50% of marriages end in divorce.  Employers promise higher pay, greater experiences, better benefits to get people to move jobs, only to realize they don’t have the money or personnel to live out these promises.  In very, very few places of the human condition can humans actually carry out their promises. 

This fact makes God’s promises carry much more weight; His promises are always true, every second of every day.  He lists hundreds of promises in the Bible, and every day He keeps all of them.  These promises are such a source of strength through the issues in life.  These are just some of His promises I have been relying on throughout the last few months:

            -“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).”

            -“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you (Isaiah 43:2).”

            -“If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).”

            -“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (Mark 11:24).”

            -“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 1:9).”

            -“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).”

These promises of God are true yesterday, today, and forever.  The greatest power of the universe will never leave or forsake us, and always hear our prayers and work situations out for our God.  What an amazing promise these are!  This list misses so many other powerful promises of God; there is simply no way I could write all of His promises into one blog post.   

Tomorrow, during worship, it is my goal to paint a picture that God’s promises will always carry us through the hard times.  No one wanted to deal with all of the issues we are dealing with, but if these times help us to greater understand the promises of God, we have learned a valuable lesson through the struggle.  Only if we are focused on these amazing promises, coming together to pray and worship, will we begin to see His power transform our current situation.  

Luke Forshey

May 19, 2017