Deuteronomy 3:28 “But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.”
As Moses reviews what God has done for and with Israel and for him and with him in the first few chapters of Deuteronomy, he tells how God had instructed him to get Joshua ready to be the next leader. Our verse serves as a great reminder that we are to not just pass the baton of leadership to the next generation but prepare them to receive the baton and then run with the baton.
As we presently lead we are to be preparing the next generation to lead!
Drawing from Deuteronomy 3:28 we see two essential actions to take with those we are mentoring or discipling. One is encouragement and the other is equipping them to become stronger.
The component of encouragement is letting them know you believe in them even when they fail. Your encouragement is crucial at those moments as it will help them learn from the loss.
The component of strengthening is a little more involved as you coach and train, in a word, you equip them. You equip them to lead themselves. You train them how to think about doing what is best for the organization. You train them to care about and for their people. You train them how to make decisions. You train them how to solve problems. And this list goes on and on!
As you mentor and prepare a new generation of leaders focus on equipping them, empowering them, and encouraging them.
Deuteronomy 3:28 begs us to ask who might be your Joshua?
Find your “Joshua” and encourage and strengthen him!
A March to Remember
For March 28, let us remember Hebrews 9:28. Hebrews 9:28 says, “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
The writer of Hebrews gives us a graphic picture of what Jesus did the first time He was here as He was offered to be the one who would bear – carry – take away our sin. He fulfilled with Isaiah said in Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
On March 28 we encourage you to read Matthew 28 to be reminded as we head to Good Friday that there is a resurrection after the crucifixion.
You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.
Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
And remember to DATE the Word