“God Exalts Joshua As
Leader”
Now the
Lord said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all
Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with
you.” (v.7)
God told
Joshua that He was about to exalt him, not so the Israelites would know of
Joshua's greatness, but rather that they would know the Lord was with him.
Joshua was now leading people
who were not alive to see the parting of the Red Sea. Most of them didn't know
any life other than the wandering wilderness. They had not witnessed first-hand
some of God's miraculous provision. So God was about to give them a sign that
would remove any and all doubt of Joshua’s leadership.
As all of
Israel stood in formation over half a mile away from the “ark of the covenant”,
the priests carried it to the overflowing Jordan River. Their faith was about
to be tested in a task that required them to put their trust in God and the
words He spoke through His servant Joshua, “When the soles of the feet of the
priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the
waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down
from above will stand in one heap.” (v.13) Wow, instant credibility or not.
It's a lot
easier to be a leader, when the people you're leading trust you. Most leaders
have to earn that trust over time, but God gave Joshua a sizeable endorsement
here. For as the priests feet entered the Jordan, “the water rose up in one
heap and the people crossed over opposite Jericho on dry ground.” (v.16)
The
application here for us is, fear fads when we trust God, and He will never ask
you to go where He does not lead. Sometimes He'll use you to show His glory,
other times, He'll just remind you of His presence. No matter the situation, He
is faithful to help you fulfill the tasks He gives you to complete.
The
Truth: "I
will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with
My eye" (Psalm 32:8)
