Day 105
Joshua 11:1‐12:24; Luke 17:11‐37; Psalm 84:1‐12; Proverbs 13:5‐6
Marks of a Warrior Leader
TRUST:
Joshua’s trust in God’s sovereign power does not waver throughout his long life. Of those rescued from slavery in Egypt by God’s mighty power, he and Caleb alone enter the Promised Land. As young men, they had gone with other tribal representatives to spy out the land (Numbers 13), but they alone trusted the Lord in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds—“The LORD is with us; do not fear them” (Numbers 14:9). And as Joshua prepares to attack the very peoples who so terrified the other spies, he continues to trust God’s promise: “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel.”
OBEDIENCE:
For about fifty years, Joshua is Moses’ aide. He never seeks to usurp Moses’ authority. Indeed even when the mantle of leadership falls on him after Moses’ death, he continues to carry out Moses instructions. “Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments” (Joshua 11:23). He does not boast of his military prowess. He does not take for his own possession the lands that have been conquered.
HUMILITY:
Joshua lives a life of gracious humility, surrendered to his God, trusting Him in all situations. And the reward? “And the land had rest from war.” A true model for us of warrior leadership.
Rev. Sarah Bronos