3. Following the Word of God Like Joshua
The Old Testament book of Joshua begins with Joshua’s keen observance of God’s Law. He knew that nothing good could come to the Israelites without obedience to Yahweh, and he understood that God would prosper them if they were faithful.
“Be strong and very courageous,” reads Joshua 1:7-9. “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.”
Let’s look closely at the words Joshua uses here: careful, obey, servant, prosperous, successful, commanded, strong, courageous. While words like “careful,” “obey,” and “prosperous” might not seem compatible today in our frenzied, competitive world, Joshua understood that they fit together beautifully; only by closely following God would the Israelites be successful in the promised Land.
Notice, too, how Joshua asks them to meditate on God’s commandments “day and night” — he was not asking them to be casually aware of God’s laws, as we might be today, but to instead have it always uppermost in their hearts and minds.
Can we say the same today?
Ever encouraging, forthright and humble, Joshua knew how to lead men. “Joshua said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight’” (Joshua 10:25).
The recipe for vital, vigorous, and disciplined leadership is clear if we lead like Joshua and remember first to follow. God has a joyous blueprint for our health, happiness, and productivity here on earth. Let’s set our compass always towards Him — the source of all lasting power and glory.
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