Being ready to reach God's appointed position

Being ready to reach God’s appointed position – Joshua, the                   exemplary leader [Judges 1]

After the death of Moses, it is Joshua whom God chose to lead His People. He distributed the land of Canaan amongst the twelve tribes. He showed the tribes the revelation of their destination. This didn’t mean they settled in the land unchallenged. They had to take over their allotted land.

Similarly, God shows us a place but we have to reach there. The Israelites had to fight their own battle just as we have to fight our own battle. God wont manifest His Will until you act upon what he speaks to you.

After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the LORD, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites?” [Judges 1:1]

Joshua was dead but his success lay in the fact that he had established his vision into the hearts of the multitude. God fulfilled all of Joshua’s words. The major role that he fulfilled was to train the people in how to go after God and serve Him. Like a true leader, he equipped his people and trained them. Hence, they knew exactly what to do after he died.

            A real leader makes you fly; a fake one doesn’t even allow you to improve.

Joshua gave an exact direction as to what they had to do. And this is what the Church and Church leadership provides. It is a body that gives direction, guidance and training.

After Joshua’s death the question arises “Who will fight?”  But they are ready to take over. God also immediately responds to His people and Judah doesn’t flinch from doing God’s bidding.

The LORD answered, “Judah shall go up; I have given the land into their hands.” [Judges 1:2]

Canaan’s king, Adoni Bezek [v 5,6] was a mighty warrior. He had defeated many other kings. He was a man of power and courage. But God said that he had given the land into their hands and Judah heard God’s voice clearly. This resulted in clear victory. When we listen to God’s voice with clarity beyond doubt and confusion, we are able to witness clear results. Therefore, God’s people always know the result. We are a people of destiny.

The men of Judah then said to the Simeonites their fellow Israelites, “Come up with us into the territory allotted to us, to fight against the Canaanites. We in turn will go with you into yours.” So the Simeonites went with them.

                                                                                                                        [Judges 1:3]

Verse 3 informs us that Judah and Simeon went together. None of them were selfish or self contained. They partnered each other in achieving what God had already ordained to be theirs.

When Judah attacked, the LORD gave the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands, and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek. [Judges 1:4]

Judah won a great victory. They struck down ten thousand strong men. God’s people are always involved in a great victory march. Even today God wants to make us spiritual giants. We are people who will naturally do supernatural deeds. We are people whose minds and perspectives have changed. We do not think like down-trodden dust eating creatures but we think like eagles that always soar over heights.

God changes our thinking, our behavior and ultimately, he makes us who we are. He makes us sit beside him in the heavenly places. He wishes that His Church sheds away the old shackles of a slave mindset and become who she is, the Body of the Christ, the assembly made to win. We are the people meant to march the victory march with Christ.