If I could time travel and meet any Old Testament character, Joshua would be a contender on my list. The contrast between Joshua and his generation is clearly seen in one of the Bible\u2019s most significant chapters.<\/p>\n
In Numbers 13, twelve spies were selected to scout out the Promised Land. Joshua was one of them. When they returned, ten spies spread fear among the Israelites:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not able to go up against the people, because they are too strong for us.\u201d So they brought\u00a0a bad report of the land which they had spied out to the sons of Israel, saying, \u201cThe land through which we have gone to spy out is\u00a0a land that devours its inhabitants; and\u00a0all the people whom we saw in it are people of\u00a0great\u00a0stature\u201d (Numbers 13:31, 32).<\/p>\n
But Joshua, with Caleb, delivered a different message:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us \u2014a land which flows with milk and honey. Only\u00a0do not rebel against the\u00a0Lord; and do not\u00a0fear the people of the land, for they will be our\u00a0prey. Their\u00a0protection is gone from them, and the\u00a0Lord\u00a0is with us; do not fear them\u201d (14:7-9).<\/p>\n
Joshua and Caleb were the opposite of the other spies, not fearing the giants in the land and not complaining against the Lord. They believed God would keep His promises. They spread a message of hope because God was with them. While their generation died in the wilderness due to their complaining and fearfulness, Joshua and Caleb stood courageous upon God\u2019s promises and lived to see Israel conquer the Promised Land.<\/p>\n
Joshua was selected to lead the way into that land. When he first took leadership over Israel, the Lord gave him an inspiring message. He promised to be with Joshua as He was with Moses and to never fail nor forsake him (Joshua 1:5). Then the Lord gave Joshua this charge:<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly be strong and very courageous;\u00a0be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may\u00a0achieve success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may\u00a0be careful to do according to all that is written in it;\u00a0for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will\u00a0have success. Have I not commanded you?\u00a0Be strong and courageous!\u00a0Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the\u00a0Lord\u00a0your God is with you wherever you go\u201d (vv. 7-9).<\/p>\n
When I read this battle cry and study Joshua\u2019s life, I am inspired. I find myself asking if I am being a Joshua in my day or if I am cowering in fear, relying on my own strength instead of God\u2019s. He told Joshua three times to be courageous and not fear, and twice promised to be with him. The courage God commanded did not come from Joshua\u2019s strength or leadership skills; it came from God\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n
Likewise, our courage cannot come from our own strength or talents. It comes from our Father, who has promised to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).<\/p>\n
Along with courage, Joshua displayed amazing leadership. At the end of his life, he gave a speech that closed with these famous words:<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the\u00a0Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served, which were beyond the Euphrates River, or\u00a0the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the\u00a0Lord\u201d (24:15).<\/p>\n
In response, the Israelites vowed to also serve the Lord. Joshua led by example, and his example impacted the next generation.<\/p>\n
Are we doing the same? Effective leadership does not live by the \u201cDo as I say, not as I do\u201d motto; that is not appropriate for the Christian life. We are to be known by our fruits (Matthew 7:20) and imitate Christ as an example for others (1 Corinthians 11:1).<\/p>\n
If we want the next generation to be bold for Christ, we must be bold and stand strong as Joshua did. We must look ahead and be courageous parents, pastors, teachers, older siblings, or any other leadership position God has given us.<\/p>\n
The question for me, and hopefully for all of us, is \u201cAm I leading by example?\u201d May we find courage in the Lord, strength in His Word, and be leaders who imitate Christ. That is how we impact the next generation \u2014 and change the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If I could time travel and meet any Old Testament character, Joshua would be a contender on my list. The contrast between Joshua and his generation is clearly seen in one of the Bible\u2019s most significant chapters. In Numbers 13, twelve spies were selected to scout out the Promised Land. Joshua was one of them. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1558,"featured_media":27484,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sync_status":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37,1800],"tags":[1887,344,723,1886,205,843],"yoast_head":"\n