Hazardous Leadership

Text: Joshua 4:10-24 Theme: God’s people will risk their lives for leaders they really trust. Key verses: “Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua was done by the people…The people hurried off.” (v. 10) “About forty thousand armed for battle crossed over before the Lord…for war. That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses.” (v. 13-14) What God said to me: Dwayne, there is a great famine of great leaders in your world today. Consistent, strong, godly leadership is required to lead people toward their promised land of heaven and holiness. Notice how the priests remained standing in the Jordan until the people had done everything they were supposed to do. “Having done all, to stand” are the words Paul wrote. Those are the words my pastors, evangelists, teachers and lay leaders need to hear and heed today. Keep standing, Dwayne. Don’t quit. Stand your ground right in the middle of potential disaster. The high waters that piled up behind those priests was roaring with threats to come crashing down on them. Yet, they stood firm and stood long – long enough to finish their jobs as real leaders. Real leaders give great confidence to others and cause them to want to follow. Note also that what those priests did there at the Jordan was dictated by their leader, Joshua, who was being dictated by his leader, me. So, who are you following and who are you leading, my son? How are you standing firm? And will you stand firm even during the most difficult and hazardous times? Why should others want to follow you? Ultimately, my people will only follow you if you are following me. What I said to God: Thank You, holy and awesome Lord, my Elyon, my Jehovah. I humbly submit my life to You this day. I want to be the leader among men that You have called and anointed me to be. And when I am called to stand in the middle of circumstances that could overwhelm me and those I lead, help me be up to the task. Help me keep standing and having done all, to stand.