RUN LIKE A CHAMPION

There’s a great temptation to think the kingdom of God depends on us. We often live, work, and act as though His kingdom begins and ends with our ministry. But every great man or woman of God stands keenly aware that God’s kingdom is far bigger than his small territory. For every age, God will raise up a new generation of leaders.
Moses led the children of Israel out of the bondage they had known for 400 years. But Joshua would lead them into the land that had been promised to them long before. Moses led them out of slavery, but Joshua led them into victory. Just as Moses had to have his own experiences with God, so Joshua would also need to meet with God and know Him in His power. Joshua would have to make tough decisions and fight difficult battles. But when God gives a person an assignment, He always equips him for the task.
God has an unusual manner of preparing His men and women. He sent Moses to school in the Midianite desert. Moses would emerge from the desert with a vision of a holy, almighty, and all-powerful God. But Joshua would attend a different school. He would go to school in the “tent of the meeting,” and he would receive his practical training in the land of Canaan.
Moses chose twelve men to spy out the land that had been promised to their forefathers. Joshua was one of those men. When they returned to report to Moses, he asked what the land was like. The Bible says, “They gave Moses this account: ‘We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there’” (Numbers 13:27, 28). Ten of the spies were cowards, unable to lead God’s people to their promised possession.
But two men refused to look at the fortifications of the cities and the power of the people. Yes, they knew there were giants in the land. But these two men, Joshua and Caleb, had seen God. They knew the giants were no match for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He had worked miracles before, and He would do so again.
Joshua stood in the assembly and said, “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 swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them” (Numbers 14:7-9).

One phrase in that speech indicates God was preparing a man to emerge as the new leader of Israel: “Do not be afraid.” Leadership and fear can’t dwell in the same tent. Joshua knew on a human level that the odds were stacked against them. But on a supernatural level, he knew there was no mountain too high, no valley too low, no ocean too vast, and no problem too big for God. Joshua’s faith was not in their circumstances. His faith was in the God who parted the Red Sea. If He could lead them through the Red Sea, then certainly He could lead them through the Jordan River.
Leadership demands courage. When God gets ready to raise up a new generation of leaders, He will always look into the hearts of the people for those who have courage. Such courage comes only from having been in the presence of God. “God is love,” and “perfect love casts out all fear.” Joshua had been in the “tent of the meeting.” He knew the presence of God. It was God’s presence that prepared Joshua to face the giants in the land.
Every generation needs men and women of courage. But courage is simply an extension of the knowledge of God.