9/17/13
That was the name of a game when I was young; and of course everyone wanted to be the leader! But whining from the rank and file could mean deserters and you can’t be a leader without a following, right? So I learned to be a faithful follower so that when my turn came, my friends would follow me.
I was thinking about leading and following as I read the book of Joshua. At first glance, I wouldn't think the following four subtopics have anything in common with each other; but let's see:
An Army Captain A Prostitute A Priestly Stand A Nation’s Future
Then God gives Joshua the battle plan, and strongly encourages him: 1st time v6. - "Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them." 2nd time v7. - "Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you." 3rd time v9. - "Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous." In faith, Joshua followed God's directions, and led the people of Israel into the Promised Land.
Enter: The Prostitute. Huh? Surely that’s a mistake, after all, it is the Lord working here. He is holy and pure, He wouldn’t use such a sinful woman to protect His spies. Yet He did, and she did. In Joshua 2:11 she makes her statement of faith: "When we heard it, our hearts melted, neither did spirit or courage remain any more in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth below." Rahab is listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11:31: "(Prompted) by faith, Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed along with those who refused to believe and obey, because she had received the spies in peace." Rahab eventually became an ancestor of Jesus because in faith she followed the Leader! (see Matthew 1:5)
The Priestly Stand. Joshua 3:13 "When the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord of all the earth shall rest in the Jordan and the waters of the Jordan coming down from above shall be cut off and they shall stand in one heap." v15.– "and when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were in the brink of the water – for the Jordan over flows all its banks throughout the time of harvest"
The priests followed Joshua's instructions from God, and as the first of them stepped into the Jordan, the rivers stopped flowing, and dry land appeared. So the priests carried the ark to the middle of the dry river bed and stood there and waited for all of Israel to cross over the Jordan. They trusted and followed the Leader.
A Nation’s Future continues as the 12 tribes see the faithfulness of God themselves - with the parting of the waters of the Jordan River. This miracle strengthens and encourages their faith, and they proceed to follow the Leader into the Promised Land.
Many times in my life people have wanted me to follow them, in lifestyle choices, in projects, in business, in government, etc. But the only leader worth following is Jesus Christ because He is the Son of a Faithful God (see 1 Corinthians 1:9).
Click here to hear Chris Tomlin sing about the faithfulness of God in his song "Our God": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlA5IDnpGhc
Written by Sandy Schott
There are so many examples of how it is necessary to follow what God is leading us to no matter how hard it is to understand what and why it is. There are many instances where people doubted God and took action that was not what he directed without reacting. In those times there were sad consequences for the doubter and often for others around that person. We need to listen to God and try to follow His wishes.
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And thanks to God that he give us the ability to follow, and forgives us when we stray! Thanks Sandy!
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