This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, with a mini-series within it entitled “Focusing on the Word”. We are using Joshua as a case study. Joshua was a newly appointed leader with a tremendous assignment. In order to be successful the Lord told Joshua to, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8 NIV). In this scripture the Lord taught Joshua to line up his mouth, mind and methods with the Word. God had already provided the grace to take Canaan. His grace was available. His will was clear. His power was present. His favor was flowing. But Joshua still needed the faith to lead the people. That’s why the Lord told Joshua to keep The Word on his mind and flowing through his lips. This way the Word of God would influence Joshua’s methods and the nation of Israel would experience prosperity and success. The formula God outlined for Joshua is a formula for success that still works for us today.
For Today’s message I am led to focus in on the response of the nation of Israel. It was clear that Joshua was the ‘set’ man for the ‘set’ time. But the people still needed willing hearts and minds to follow him. Thankfully the people were ready. They gathered together and said the following to Joshua:
“We will do whatever you command us to do. We will go wherever you tell us to go. We will obey whatever you say, just as we obeyed Moses. We only ask that the Lord your God be with you just as he was with Moses. Then anyone who refuses to obey your commands or turns against you will be killed. Just be strong and brave!” (Joshua 1:16-18). Not only did the Lord tell Joshua to keep His Word on his lips, but the people were ready to receive from Joshua and do whatever he said.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things about Godly leadership.
- God gave Joshua to the nation of Israel as a their leader. God had invested decades into preparing Joshua for the assignment. Thankfully, the Israelites honored the leader God gave them. The result? They were able to take possession of the Promised Land. Do you have a God-given leader? If you do, are you honoring the anointing and assignment on their lives? Part of their assignment is to help you maximize yours.
- As a believer you serve God under His Lordship, but also under the leadership of His assigned vessels. You can’t truly say He is your Lord if you reject the leaders He has given you.
- Every believer needs a leader. God gives us Pastors who flow in harmony with His own heart (Jer 3:15). Pastors are graced to feed God’s children with knowledge and understanding.
- Every believer needs a Pastor. Every Pastor needs a Pastor. For you to be IN authority you must be UNDER authority. True authority is derived from submission.
- The Israelites knew that their prosperity was in the mouth of Joshua. God would speak things to Joshua, for the people, that he was then graced to speak OVER them. The same holds true for Godly leadership today.
- Every believer needs someone speaking into their life. To maximize your purpose and potential in Christ you must submit to Godly leadership and give that leadership ‘license’ to speak into your heart. You don’t give everyone that license, but when you give a God-given leader the license to speak into your life and you receive God-given words through a God-given leader, you are in position to experience God’s best.
- God never called you to be a lone-ranger. There is strength in numbers and safety in the multitude of counsel (Prov 11:14). If you are not connected to Godly leadership right now, take the time to pray and seek the Lord concerning who you should be following. God is your Lord, but you also need to find your leader.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016. This is the best year of my life. I live this year with greater focus than ever before. I meditate and medicate Your Word day and night. I keep Your Word on my mouth and my mind. You want me to grow and develop. That’s why You have assigned Godly leadership to me. I can operate IN authority, because I am submitted TO authority. I thank You for my God-given Pastor with a God-given vision. I allow my Pastor to speak into my life. I give them license to release prophetic words and as they do, I receive them as Your Word for me. I am not a lone-ranger. I am a member of Your body and I am submitted to the leaders You have given me. Living this way I get to experience Your best every day, in every way! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
