Numbers 14:1-9
Who will step up and be a leader? We are constantly looking for someone to step up and lead. You see it in everyday life in many different aspects. In sports, teams are always looking for someone who will step up, be a captain, and lead the team. The leader is obviously important, but I think others who also lead without being the main leader are just as important. I have been on many hockey teams growing up that were all very different. Some had great leaders and others did not. My favorite teams to be a part of were the ones where we had multiple leaders, and everyone led together. The team knew that the captains had the team in mind in every way, and not just their own selfish play.
In Numbers 14, we see the Israelites in a bad spot. The people are upset with the leadership and are spiraling into negativity. They grumbled against Moses and Aaron when things felt tough. They even say that they should have stayed slaves back in Egypt! It is crazy to think that they were so focused on their struggles that they wanted to go back to where they were. They were so upset with their situation that they wanted to pick a leader of their own to take them back to Egypt. You cannot make this up!
Number 14:5-9 "Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
The Israelites were in turmoil about what to do, and were looking for a new leader. Joshua stepped up and proclaimed boldly to the people that they needed to trust God and follow him. Don't trust your own feelings, but rather trust in the Lord. Joshua says if the Lord is pleased with them, he would take care of them. Josua then told the people to not rebel against God. He knew if they chose to rebel, things would not go well for them. The Israelites were looking for a new leader that would take them back to Egypt, but instead, Joshua stepped up and pointed them back to the Lord.
We can look at the story of Joshua and apply it to our own lives. Are we listening to the negativity around us and focusing on our struggles too much? Are we keeping our eyes fixed on God even when others are not? How can you step up and be a leader in your life? You may not become a main leader like Joshua, but you can lead in any area that you are in. When others around you are losing their focus on God, are you one who steps up and points others to God? You don't have to be someone in front of everyone to lead. God wants you to follow him and lead right where you are. You can impact your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc, in your everyday life and point them to the God of and ruler of all.
Who will step up and be a leader? We are constantly looking for someone to step up and lead. You see it in everyday life in many different aspects. In sports, teams are always looking for someone who will step up, be a captain, and lead the team. The leader is obviously important, but I think others who also lead without being the main leader are just as important. I have been on many hockey teams growing up that were all very different. Some had great leaders and others did not. My favorite teams to be a part of were the ones where we had multiple leaders, and everyone led together. The team knew that the captains had the team in mind in every way, and not just their own selfish play.
In Numbers 14, we see the Israelites in a bad spot. The people are upset with the leadership and are spiraling into negativity. They grumbled against Moses and Aaron when things felt tough. They even say that they should have stayed slaves back in Egypt! It is crazy to think that they were so focused on their struggles that they wanted to go back to where they were. They were so upset with their situation that they wanted to pick a leader of their own to take them back to Egypt. You cannot make this up!
Number 14:5-9 "Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
The Israelites were in turmoil about what to do, and were looking for a new leader. Joshua stepped up and proclaimed boldly to the people that they needed to trust God and follow him. Don't trust your own feelings, but rather trust in the Lord. Joshua says if the Lord is pleased with them, he would take care of them. Josua then told the people to not rebel against God. He knew if they chose to rebel, things would not go well for them. The Israelites were looking for a new leader that would take them back to Egypt, but instead, Joshua stepped up and pointed them back to the Lord.
We can look at the story of Joshua and apply it to our own lives. Are we listening to the negativity around us and focusing on our struggles too much? Are we keeping our eyes fixed on God even when others are not? How can you step up and be a leader in your life? You may not become a main leader like Joshua, but you can lead in any area that you are in. When others around you are losing their focus on God, are you one who steps up and points others to God? You don't have to be someone in front of everyone to lead. God wants you to follow him and lead right where you are. You can impact your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc, in your everyday life and point them to the God of and ruler of all.
Posted in Devotional