Date: January 10, 2025
One way that God births leaders is by positioning them with others who have matured in relationship with God and with other potential leaders. He then gives them the opportunity to rise into their own potential.
So, when Moses went up the mountain to receive from God, Joshua went up to where Moses disappeared into the cloud. While all the rest of Israel distanced themselves out of fear, Joshua was proactive.
Joshua stayed close to the one he saw that had more relationship with God than he did.
| Joshua wanted to be as close as he could to Moses because he wanted to know how that relationship became what it was. |
Joshua also wanted to be a part of what came from being near. He saw Moses before he went up the mountain, and after he went up the mountain. He saw that being in the presence of God transformed Moses more into the man that could lead a whole nation, God’s way.
Moses thought differently, acted differently and responded different. That is why the others followed his directions. But Joshua followed Moses’ heart.
Moses became the leader God intended him to be. He made a way that left a trail for Joshua to do the same.
God always wants the next generation to be able to rise. He always desires us to be intentional about pouring into others for the sake of growing God’s will upon the earth.
Moses began to see what was inside of Joshua way before Joshua was confident.
He added value to Joshua by putting him into the positions that Joshua didn’t think he was ready for, but Moses knew it would awaken the call of God on Joshua’s life.
Exodus 17:8-9
Amalek came and attacked Israel in Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”
So much mentoring was going on in this.
Moses gave Joshua the honor of allowing him to pick the men that would fight by his side.
Moses was esteeming the leader he saw within.
Then he made Joshua commander of the army against the Amalekites when Joshua hadn’t even been taught how to lead an army. Basically, he didn’t know what he was doing.
But Moses saw his potential and the grace of God on his life, so Moses pushed Joshua into where he didn’t have experience, but he had confidence in Moses’ assignment.
I remember when Esther, my mentor for many years, would push me out of what I thought was possible into the impossible. But because I saw her walk in the impossible, I believed that if she saw me doing it, it was God saying I could do it. I always stepped out and into the position. God always showed up and I grew because she saw God in me.
Not only will I be forever grateful, but I try to build those aspects into the people around me. I see potential and I push them into God’s desire for them to operate beyond the natural and trust Him to be there when they step out in faith.
And He is there!
Joshua also had the confidence because Moses told him this in Exodus 17:9, “Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”
This shows how Moses mentored Joshua by reminding him of his own relationship with God, and his relationship with Joshua. They were intertwined because Joshua had seen what God would do through that staff.
Joshua had confidence in Moses’ relationship with God that would flow down to him to bring the victory.
This is one reason why the Body of Christ has many issues today. They have not seen someone who has an authentic relationship with God bring about needed change for the benefit of God’s people.
That is what real leaders of God are called to do.
Joshua had seen the relationship Moses had with God and he knew that as long as Moses was the leader and did his part— raising his hands up to God, then Joshua could lead the army to victory.
At the same time, Joshua also found out that no one can do it all alone, because when Moses’ arms got weary, he positioned two others on either side of him.
Aaron and Hur were the leaders that stood by and helped lift Moses’ hands.
Moses didn’t have to be the big shot. He knew God could do anything. He also mentored others by showing them that since he still lived in a human body, others would need to come alongside to win against their enemies and lead their nation to victory.
Together, they all prevailed against the army of the Amalekites, just as God had planned.
How else had Moses mentored Joshua? He allowed Joshua to serve him.
Yes, that is right.
He puts inside of them a heart to serve.
Remember what Jesus told James and John when they wanted to be promised they would be on His left and right side in the Kingdom?
Mark 10:35-45
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”
We may think this is very arrogant of them, but we need to examine our hearts to be sure we are not looking for something special to be given to us. We need to be looking for what He has assigned for us to do to serve.
38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
39 They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;
40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”
Basically Jesus was saying, “I stay under the authority of My Father who decides that!”
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John.
When heart motives are wrong it also stirs up the atmosphere for other to operate in the same way.
Instead of Jesus getting angry, He mentored them ALL.
42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.”
He exposed the wrong way to lead—prideful and demanding.
43 “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.”
The Kingdom doesn’t operate that way. To go up, we must go down in humility and servanthood.
44 “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.”
It is our choice. It will always be our choice. The end result is how we respond to the wisdom and direction of our Savior’s words.
45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
This should take our breath away. If you ponder these words, you will see that Jesus came to mentor how we should live.
He came to die and give His life so others may live.
We are called to love, to serve, to die to self, and to help others to understand the fullness of what Jesus did.
We are to invite them into the relationship that has set us free from sin and death.
We are to keep our hearts steady in obedience and find joy in serving.
Jesus told them that to go up in the Kingdom of God they would have to be servants of all. Then, Jesus modeled it by washing the disciples’ feet.
Mentoring is a huge responsibility that must keep the mentor in a place of humility, recognizing what they have, and living it out in their own life to benefit others.
Joshua had learned from Moses that if God said it, then He will do it. If He spoke it, HE will bring it to pass.
Joshua would be tested in that as a model for all of us, as well. We will look into that tomorrow.
Today, may we understand the importance of how we follow, so we can lead and mentor others in the way it honors our Lord and His great sacrifice.
PRAYER
God, thank You for leading me to know You. You gave Your life for my sake so I could live free of sin and free to serve You with joy.
Thank You for putting a call on my life. Thank You for never leaving me or forsaking me. I know that I can always count on You being here with me to help me, to teach me and to use me.
I want to be changed to bring change.
XPAND my heart to include others. XPAND my wisdom to help them. XPAND my abilities. XPAND my love. XPAND my circle.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
WORSHIP VIDEOS
Elevation Worship – I Can’t Believe
Housefires – Build My Life
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