Joshua at a Leadership Conference

10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 "Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.' " 16 Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous. Joshua 1:10, 16-18

Joshua had just received a command from the Lord to take the people into the promise land. Instantly Joshua begins to prepare the people to cross the Jordan into their inheritance. Joshua begins to prepare the officers of the camp. "The officers answer "Whatever you will command we will do", and they conclude their answer to Joshua with "Only be strong and courageous". Be strong and courageous was the same word that Joshua had heard from the Lord three times and now it was coming from the people.

It's obvious that Joshua was leader worth following because even though he was a fearful leader If Joshua was speaking at a leadership conference I imagine him saying something like this.

#1 In leadership it's ok to be fearful at times. Fear let's you know you can't do things on your own. Fear requires you to require God on your journey. The main thing is not to let fear stop you from where you know you should be.

#2 "Make sure that your strengths weigh more than your weakness" It's your strengths that will keep people following. When your leading, your weakness, what you lack, what you are not capable of is never a secret to anyone else, so don't try to do things on your own, you need others with you. When you try everything by yourself you stunt the growth of your team. One was to small a number to accomplish what Joshua needed to do accomplish, and one is too small a number to accomplish the dream that God has given you.

#3 As a leader you need people who will bring you strength and when they do, show them appreciation, show them how much their presence and the words are worth. We all need strength from one another to get to where we are going.

Lord thank you for your speaking to me today through the life of Joshua. Help me to develop into the leader that you have called me to be. In Jesus Name, amen