by Steve Reeves

Twenty seven years ago my wife gave birth in a hallway between the labor and the delivery rooms. Birth is a time of transition. That baby born in 1984 is now serving in full-time ministry with the same congregation I serve.

In Joshua 1, Moses’ leadership gives way to the leadership of Joshua. God said to Joshua, “Be strong.” Joshua knew there were giants in the land. He was one of the spies who had seen them years ago.

He knew there would be obstacles to overcome—the Jordan River driven back by God when Joshua demonstrated faith by stepping into it, the walls of Jericho brought down by God when Joshua trusted and obeyed.

Joshua learned that God’s assurances of victory do not mean exemption from battle, but that God expects obedience.

As Joshua led the people, Israel was ready to enter a land filled with idolatry. In 2011, we are still surrounded by temptation and ideas that sound reasonable, but God still expects obedience.

Meditate Day and Night
• Read your Bible and think about what God is saying to you.

• Do not let God’s Word depart from your mouth.

• Scripture should be a regular part of your conversation.

• Live God’s Word in your daily life.

God said in Joshua 1:8, “Be careful to do everything written in it.” God’s Word gives us the courage, wisdom, and guidance we need each day.

Joshua did what God told him to do and brought other leaders along with him.

They said, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go . . . just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you” (Joshua 1:16,17).

The people followed Joshua’s leadership just as they followed his predecessor, Moses.

Many churches stumble when they encounter a transition in leadership. However, there was a smooth transition between Moses and Joshua because they had a healthy relationship.

As leadership transitions occur in the church, we have to remind new leaders how critical it is to hear from God, speak his insight, and be careful to do everything recorded in God’s Word.

Steve Reeves is lead minister at Connection Pointe Christian Church in Brownsburg, Indiana. He and his wife Kristen have three grown children.