Read Joshua 1:1-9
Leaders need courage to make the tough decisions they’re faced with every day. Joshua certainly faced such a crisis in his leadership role. Not only did he have to contend with the military powers rooted in the promised land, but he also had to face them with an untrained band of nomadic shepherds.
God realized Joshua’s need for courage and gave him guidance that would strengthen his faith. First, He reminded Joshua of His faithfulness to keep all of His promises (vv. 3-6). God had pledged to give the land to His people and He would fulfill that pledge. Joshua’s success didn’t rest on a military strategy or well-trained army, but on the faithfulness of God. Second, God commanded Joshua to meditate on His words that Moses recorded in the five books of the Pentateuch (vv. 7-8). The “Book of the Law” would give the wisdom and encouragement Joshua would need to courageously lead the nation. Third, God promised to be personally present with Joshua (v. 9). No matter how intimidating the enemy or how rebellious the people, Joshua would not have to face them alone. God would always be at his side.
The same sources of courage that empowered Joshua are available today for any leader who will accept them. When faced with a risky business decision, the godly leader will look to God in prayer and to God’s revealed Word for the perspective and courage needed to make the right choice. What situation are you now facing that requires courageous leadership and risk-taking? Let God’s words to Joshua supply you with the courage you need.
Courage/Risk-taking and Who God Is
Is there any such thing as “a sure thing”? In this world nothing appears to be certain; many of us come to discover that our sense of being in control is only an illusion - we cannot control the outcome of even a single day. There is only One who exercises sovereign control. Read Hebrews 6:13-20 to look at the only real anchor for the soul.
Read Hebrews 6:13-20
This passage tells us that there are two reasons why God’s promises are certain: the consistent nature of His will and the fact that He cannot break His covenant. Thus, the only stable and unqualified ground of hope is the immutable character of God and the promises that flow out of his character. Many people have an ill-defined or unbiblical hope; they look to the world and not to the Lord as the foundation of their security and confidence. Such people, whether sooner or later, find that their feet are standing on shifting sand (Matthew 7:24-27).
Nevertheless, as inhabitants of this world, it takes real courage for us to risk everything on the promises of God. At least those who hope in the promises of the world have something, tangible and visible to bolster their confidence. But those who, hope in God’s promises are staking their lives on what is not seen and what is not yet. (Romans 8:24-25). This is why the Word directly links faith to hope by describing faith as assurance of that in which we put our hope, and certainty of what cannot be seen (Hebrews 11:1).
It takes no faith to believe that ten out of every ten people die. In view of the certain brevity of our earthly journey, and in light of the strong evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, our hope and trust in Him are not a leap in the dark, but a step into the light. Those who have taken this risk discover that this is the only firm and secure anchor for the soul.
Courage/Risk-taking and Who I Am
Leadership, by its very nature, inspires people to move in directions they would not otherwise have been willing to take. From time to time, good leadership requires excursions into ,unexplored territory, and draws on a leader’s courage. Read, Numbers 14:1-10 to see what happened when the Israelites, encountered what they perceived to be an insurmountable obstacle. Their lack of courage demonstrates the high cost of failure.
Read Numbers 14:1-10
It was one thing when the children of Israel murmured and complained about their provisions and their leadership during the first two years in the wilderness. It was far more serious when they decided they could no longer trust the Lord. The tragedy at Kadesh was not caused merely by grumbling, but by outright rebellion against the purposes of God. The Israelites had convinced themselves that their children would be killed if they attempted to take the promised land, and they therefore drew back in disbelief. Ironically, it was their children who later occupied the land under Joshua’s leadership.
By pursuing a pain-avoidance strategy rather than trusting the Lord, the Israelites actually inflicted far more pain upon themselves. As a result of their lack of courage, the generation of the exodus was consigned to an additional thirty-eight years of wilderness wandering until they died and the new generation was ready to take the land.
Obedience to the precepts and principles of Scripture does in fact require significant risk, because to trust God is to pursue the invisible over the visible. But if we hedge our bets by resisting the prompting of the Spirit and chasing the promises of the world system, our growth will be stunted (Hebrews 4:2). Knowing this, God asks His people to take the step of faith and trust in His presence (Joshua 1:9). God is the ultimate source of empowerment; He is the eternal source of the godly leader’s courage.
(Taken from Ken Boa's Handbook to Leadership)
