Title: Stand Up! / Topic: Leadership

Today’s Reading: Joshua 7; Joshua 8; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 5

Scripture: Joshua 7:6-10
6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening... 10 The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?..."

Observation: Joshua is panicked about the defeat of the Israelites at Ai. He and the elders are mourning and lamenting before the Lord. The Lord rebukes him.

Application: There is a call on leadership that is demanding. The Lord says, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?..." It's a sharp rebuke. This is not a time for mourning or reflection, it is a time for action and judgment. Instead of complaining to and about God and the defeat they suffered, they needed to look at their own failings, for they brought this defeat upon themselves. It is tough, in the midst of defeat, to stand strongly as a leader, but it is what the Lord expects. As the saying goes, "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." If you want to act out of your pain and circumstance, then leadership is not for you.

Prayer: Lord, strengthen me that I may lead in times of defeat as well as victory. Make me a leader that is tough and strong.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.