Lessons On Leadership from God’s Humble Servant Joshua

After the death of Moses, the Lord picked Joshua to replace him and lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Before Moses passed on, Joshua had been his second-in-command. He had served faithfully and humbly and now it was time to lead Israel.

Joshua didn’t serve because he wanted a promotion but because he saw it as an assignment from God. In Christ’s church, leadership comes with servitude. Many people want to lead without serving. They’re more concerned about the glory that comes with being a shepherd than the wellbeing of the flock God has put in their care.

1 Peter 5:1-5 tells us some of the qualities God wants the leaders of His church to have: honesty, eagerness to serve, and humility.

“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

Joshua didn’t tell God he wanted to be the number one man after Moses passed on. Instead, he stayed as a servant and waited to hear from the Lord. Then God spoke to him. To hear from God concerning any major decision or move in your life, your spirit has to be in tune with His. This can be achieved through fasting and constant prayer.

God told Joshua He was taking His people beyond the wilderness and across the Jordan River. They would bring down the giants and inhabit the land of milk and honey, of the beautiful figs and pomegranates. He would lead them to Canaan and give them possession of the land.

When God speaks He provides. You don’t need to look at your circumstances and wonder how His promises will be fulfilled. He says in Isaiah 55:11, “So is my word that goes out from

my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Joshua’s first battle was with Jericho, and it was a battle won with praise. Before they even stepped foot on the land the Lord had already told them, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.” In the spirit, the battle had already been won. All that was left was the manifestation of that victory in the natural realm.

If you’re walking by faith, God will fight your battles. He who called you will lead you and deliver your enemies into your hands. He will not allow His shepherd to be devoured by the lion or the wolf. Anything that stands in the way of His plan concerning your life will be obliterated. With

God by your side, your Goliath will come tumbling down.

Conclusion

A servant is one who knows how to walk in humility, and that’s one of the qualities God is looking for in leaders of His church. Everyone in the body of Christ must possess the spirit of humility and be willing to serve one another in love. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).