Daily D – Deuteronomy 3:28

by | Mar 11, 2021 | Daily D | 0 comments

But commission Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will cross over ahead of the people and enable them to inherit this land that you will see.
DEUTERONOMY 3:28 (CSB)

_____________________________________________________________________________

We recently considered Moses’ prayer in Numbers 27:15-17 for a leader to shepherd Israel after he himself had died. We noted then, 

The best leaders understand their best legacy is displayed in the success of their successors. If everything falls apart after The Leader leaves, The Leader was not The Leader he or she should have been. If everything rises and falls on The Leader, failure is inevitable.

We saw the commissioning of Joshua in Numbers 27:1-23. Moses “laid his hands on him, and commissioned him, as the LORD had spoken through Moses,” (verse 23). 

Here in Deuteronomy 3:28, God tells Moses to do three things for Joshua:

1. Commission him
2. Encourage him
3. Strengthen him

The commissioning was a formal transfer of authority. It was an event for everyone to see and to know that Joshua was now the leader of the mob who was becoming a nation. 

As you read the rest of Deuteronomy, Moses’ famous last words, see if you can count how many times Moses says, “Be strong and courageous.” Why does he repeat this particular command so often? To encourage and strengthen Joshua. Just in case Joshua wavered after the death of Moses, God repeats these same words in Joshua 1. The culmination comes in verse 10:

Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

There are a couple of additional succession planning dance steps we see in God’s directive to Moses (and to us):

  • When it comes time to step aside, step aside. Before you exit, transfer authority for all to see. When you are gone, stay gone. 
  • When it comes time to step aside, make sure every word you speak and every action you take encourages and strengthens your successor. 
Today is probably not the day you are stepping aside for your successor. You still have work to do, hills to climb, victories to win, and lessons to learn. Keep these words of wisdom near your heart so that when the day comes, you not only know what to do but how to do it. Then, do it. 

_____________________________________________________________________________

I will, as far as it depends on me, make my successor successful.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Our Father, teach me now how to handle succession issues for the day when they inevitably come. Give me wisdom for how to commission my successor. Empower me to provide encouragement and strength. Bless me with the grace to step out of the way and to stay out of the way. Amen. 

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

CONNECT WITH ME!

Interested in learning more about Church Unique or Life Younique? Send a note through the Get In Touch box or Message me through the Facebook link above.

          Church Unique Logo          Auxano Logo

GET IN TOUCH!

READ MY BLOG!

Daily D – Job 19:23-24

Job 19:23, 24 “Oh, that my words could be recorded. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument, carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead, engraved forever in the rock.”

Daily D – Job 14:14-17

Job 14:14-17 “Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death. You would call and I would answer, and you would yearn for me, your handiwork. For then you would guard my steps, instead of watching for my sins. My sins would be sealed in a pouch, and you would cover my guilt.”

Daily D – Psalm 5:3

Psalm 5:3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

Daily D – Psalm 4:8

Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”

Daily D – Luke 10:5-6

Luke 10:5, 6 “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you.”