Mensa Otabil - A Loyal Heart
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This is our last reading for Joshua Chapter 1, verses 16 and 17. So they answered Joshua, saying, «All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you; only the Lord your God be with you as He was with Moses.»
That’s quite a journey from verse one when God tells Joshua to arise. Moses is gone; there is uncertainty. Nobody knows how things are going to work out, but Joshua steps into the situation, and now the people are fully with him. They’re ready to go on this assignment with him; they accept him as the new leader. When Joshua stepped out to do what the Lord had called him to do, the people stepped out to support him because many times the world is looking for somebody to step out, somebody to be the leader, somebody to take up the responsibility.
When people step up, others step up also. The leaders offer themselves to Joshua because Joshua had offered himself to the Lord. Leadership is by example. If you do it first, the followers will do it. They saw Joshua follow Moses, dedicate himself to Moses, show loyalty to Moses, and they are now showing loyalty to Joshua. You know, if you don’t set the right example, you cannot demand people to do the right thing. It is when the right example is set that we can demand people to do the right thing. Leadership is by example at home, whether you’re a husband, a mother, or a parent; you lead by example.
In the office, in church, wherever we are, we lead by example, and that’s what we see here because people stand with us when we take a stand. No one commits to a person who is not committed, a person who is not sure of himself or herself, a person who is always trying to find the easy way out and trying to avoid responsibility. Nobody stands with you if you’re going to be a person of influence. You have to be like Joshua; you take a stand and the people will take a stand with you. You are loyal; they will be loyal to you. You offer yourself to God; they will offer themselves to God and to the service that you’ve called them to do.
The people said to Joshua, «We’re going to follow you just as long as God is with you.» In other words, «Joshua, we’re not just following you to our doom. We have to be sure that you’re also following God, and when we know you are following God, you have us; we’re going to follow you.» So God’s approval of what we do attracts people to us. When God approves of us, He brings people our way. I don’t know what assignment you have for this year and for the rest of your life. Whatever that assignment is, it requires people to work with you, to have confidence in you, and to be loyal to you.
So I pray that God will make you like Joshua, that you will follow the Lord, you’ll follow the command of the Lord, you’ll take a stand, you will be bold in your actions, and those who follow you will see in you the man of God, the woman of God, the person of influence-the example that they are looking for so they can follow you to do the things that God has called you to do. Each one of us follows somebody; each one of us. Let your heart be loyal to the people who are doing the right thing, and God will bless all of you and make your way prosperous. May the Lord make your way prosperous abundantly in everything that you do. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.
Well, let’s pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, today I take a stand for You. Bring me the people You have prepared to stand with me. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.»