LEADING – Even in these days of group think and team projects, leadership in the corporate world, small business, the school system and even churches is still paramount to an organization’s effectiveness. General Norman Schwarzkopf, known as “Stormin’ Norman” for the Desert Storm campaign in the early ’90’s, once said “leadership is about stepping up when given the opportunity and taking charge. When tough decisions need to be made, a leader does what is right.” I think Stormin’ Norman had read the book of Joshua.
The Word on LEADING is: Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them…. 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. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. – Joshua 1:6-8
- Joshua was a leader stepping into some pretty big sandals. He had been shadowing Moses for over 40 years and now it was time for him to step up and take charge. The Lord came beside him in verses 1-5 to explain the task ahead of him and to let him know that He would be with him every step of the way. His leadership was to be grounded in his relationship with God, obedience to the Law and his boldness to do what was right, to not turn to the right or to the left. Each dad should consider his family Israel and himself a Joshua. With such leadership, his family will inherit eternal life through Jesus the Christ.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for the opportunity to lead my family. Grant me the strength and courage to step up and take charge in the power that You grant me as a father. Guide me through my personal and passionate relationship with You to do what is right, to not turn to the right or to the left of Your Truth. Teach me to live that relationship in marriage and lead my family in relationship with You, that we may be contagious Christians where You have us. Amen.
A faithful father leads spiritually by example.
