Successful Leadership

Joshua 1:2f: "(The LORD said) Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you (Joshua) and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give . . . . Be strong and courageous . . . . Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the laws my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it . . . 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. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

These words of the LORD to Joshua and the Israelites are great words of direction for leaders. God first tells Joshua, the new chosen leader of the Israelites (after Moses) to move into the Promised Land because He (God) had prepared the way. God had taken the initiative to begin a good work in the lives of the people; what He expected of Joshua was responsive faith to the leading that God was already orchestrating. Obedience was what was expected by the Lord.

God then called Joshua three (3) times to "be strong and courageous." When we have our faith anchored in God, we are able to press forward, even though the path ahead is uncertain and potentially perilous. Great leadership always involves responsiveness to God's calling.

God then knew that Joshua would need to be connected to His Word day and night, so that He would always follow the Lord's commands and not be enticed into believing that his success was coming from his own accomplishments. Twice in this passage God told Joshua that following His Word was the ingredient for success as a leader.

God also called his leaders not to be discouraged. Discouragement is a common response that leaders have when difficult experiences and obstinate people impede our progress. Moses had this experience in Numbers 11. He wanted the Lord to take his life, rather than experience the pain of failed leadership.

Because Joshua responded with faith to the calling of the LORD, God "exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they revered him all the days of his life" (Joshua 4:14). His "fame spread throughout the land" (Joshua 6:27). God responded to Joshua's obedience with the blessing of successful leadership. The people respected their called leader, and Joshua was able to lead the Israelites in the direction that God willed for them. This is successful leadership wonderfully demonstrated for us today.