Following Faithful Leadership

huron — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 23:45:37 +0000

Joshua 1

Focal: Joshua 1:2,7-9,12-13a.16-17

During the children of Israel’s exodus from Egyptian bondage, God provided leadership through Moses. In their disobedience and rebellion, the Israelites failed to heed Moses’ constant warnings. After nearly forty years of wandering and upon Moses’ death, God spoke to Joshua, asking him to assume the mantle of leadership. The times were troubled and dangerous, but God assured Joshua of strength and courage to undertake the task. Can we learn a valuable lesson from the ancient children of Israel?

Our times are troubled as we review the Indian history of broken treaties, lives, and homes. God-fearing leaders need to become the instruments to restore a once-proud people.

One of these God-fearing individuals the Lord has raised among the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico is Michael Naranjo. As a mischievous youngster in a nearby religious boarding school, Michael (a Pueblo Indian from Santa Clara) was being encouraged to become a priest by the nuns who were caring for this orphaned child. He rebelled from this imposed direction. The Lord, however, had greater tasks in mind for young Michael. In the early 1950s, Michael came to know the Jesus way through the untiring efforts of a pioneer missionary named Pauline Cammack. Though Michael was a successful carpenter during the construction boom in Los Alamos (home of the first atom bomb), he responded to the call to minister to his Indian people.

Within five years he built a church building for a growing Indian congregation in Santa Clara Pueblo. Because of the strong opposition, Michael built this sanctuary to God on his own property. Within a year he moved to Taos Pueblo. This pueblo (of all the eighteen Indian pueblos along the Rio Grande of New Mexico) was so traditional that the Anglo missionary assigned to minister to Taos was not allowed to enter the reservation or transport believers to the nearby town. Michael planted and nurtured the seeds of salvation in Taos for twenty-two years.

In 1975, Michael’s health began to affect his ministry. But the Lord was preparing a young man (Bennie Romero) to assume leadership. Bennie came from a prominent family with strong political and Indian religious ties. In 1976, Michael left Taos Baptist Indian Mission. A native son, Bennie Romero, was pastor and missionary to the Pueblo Indians.

To some people this passing of the leadership may seem as if it happened by chance. God, however, works in mysterious ways. His power and strength are mightier than Satan and all his forces.

Can you put the power of the Lord to work in your life? He may be calling you to be responsible for His sheep. Can He find a Joshua for a Native American/First Nations church without a pastor? Perhaps a beginning ministry is needed where Native American/First Nations people have not been told of the love of Jesus Christ. You may be that person.

God Spoke to Joshua (1:2,7-9)

The solemn charge of Moses became real as God made His command clear to Joshua. In the words “Arise, go over this Jordan” (v. 2, KJV) are many implications of faith. The Lord could rely on Joshua’s faith. In Numbers 14:6-8, Joshua and Caleb were dismayed at the murmurings of the people upon hearing the spies’ negative report of the Promised Land. The Lord’s wrath was kindled against these ten spies. God punished the people in this way: those who listened and feared the inhabitants of the land would wander in the wilderness for forty years.

Joshua and Caleb called this God given land an exceedingly good land. They recognized that God would give them this land that flowed with milk and honey. Such faith was exhibited when circumstances were overwhelmingly dismal. Now, forty years later, this faith had been sustained and strengthened by the assuring presence of the Lord. Joshua was indeed ready to arise and go over the Jordan River.

The Lord is also charging the Indian people to rise and cross over obstacles and barriers that keep us from claiming God’s promises. With the help of faithful and consecrated leaders, such a call becomes easier to accept. We, as Native American/First Nations people, can also choose to remain on the other side of the Jordan. There we may never fully realize the power of God but remain a defeated people.

As God spoke to Joshua, he instructed him on the conditions of success. Joshua 1:7-9 clearly states the following conditions:

Be strong!

What does the Lord mean for leaders or people to be strong? Ephesians 3:16 tells us He grants these attributes according to the riches of His glory to strengthen us with might by His Spirit in our inner being. The Lord’s strength will become our strength. Colossians 1:11 says we will be “strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that [we] may have great endurance and patience.”

Most Native American/First Nations communities are close-knit and tradition bound. When one person (a believer) does not conform or follow the well-beaten path of century-laid ceremony and ritual, opposition may occur. Verbal threats, physical abuse, and even being disowned by family, friends, and tribe are even possible. Leaders cannot afford to waver or bend to the pressures of the Native American/First Nations community. God must be honored as the Creator and Master of all life. Native leaders must be strong in the Lord and His ways. They cannot measure strength by the world’s standard of force and might.

Be courageous!

These words were spoken many times (see Deut. 31:6-7,23; Josh. 1:6-7,9,18; 10:25). In Deut.31:7, Moses encouraged Joshua and the people to be of good courage. As the Lord appointed Joshua to succeed Moses, He again admonished Joshua to be courageous. “Joshua said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight’ ” (Josh. 10:25).

God-fearing leaders can help their people (through their personal lifestyle of obedience and courage to the Lord) to choose the God of Joshua.

Observe and meditate!

Joshua was instructed to meditate day and night that he might be careful to do everything written in the Book of the Law.

Meditation is deep, serious thought. It is not just reading; it is digesting (chewing over and over) that which we have read. Our thoughts become the inner nature of our life, mind, and soul.

Pueblo Indians offer daily prayer to the four directions as the sun casts its first rays of the day. No matter the season, the offering of cornmeal and prayer is given in meditation for sustenance. How much greater should the daily meditation of our hearts be to the Creator of all the universe?

The Lord promised prosperity and success to Joshua and his charges. Genuine spiritual leaders do not always prosper or succeed according to the standards of the world. Prosperity and success are synonymous by the world’s standard of measure. This standard measures success by accumulation of material wealth and acclaim. God’s standard is the godliness that is found in keeping His commandments. God assures us of the same promise of His never-failing presence in our lives. This is true prosperity, not the measure of success by the world’s standard.

Joshua Spoke to Israel (1:12-15)

Why was there a need to remind the two and a half tribes of the obligations they were under to go over Jordan with their brethren? For one, they were to leave their wives and children behind. Even their possessions were to stay on this side of the Jordan. Instead, they were to arm themselves to aid their fellow Israelites. Here we see self-denial and even going against the grain (the natural course of action).

Indeed, if we are to follow Christ or His appointed leaders, we must be prepared to deny ourselves. Native American/First Nations, like other people, are comfortable where we are. But often to claim the promises of God, we need to think and act in terms of God’s will.

Joshua further reminded them, “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you” (v. 13). Some people may have thought Moses was dead and they were no longer obligated. Other people would simply find any excuse to remain behind. Joshua let them know Moses’ command and promises were still in force.

As Joshua spoke, he recalled, “The Lord your God is giving you rest” (v. 13). The wives and children of these tribes were at rest, satisfied with their settlement. They had the peace of mind in knowing God provided a good land.

To have this peace and rest is great, but not when so many tribes and families are still unsettled. They are still outside the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. So many thousands of our Native American/First Nations people are unsettled in the bondages of sin and man-made traditions and rituals. Only God can give His people rest. He needs our help to accomplish rest for all.

Joshua reminded these tribes of their agreement to help their brethren in the wars of Canaan. They were a close-knit people. They were to look on themselves as members one of another. Only in observance of their promises would they have continued rest and enjoy the land they possessed.

Native American/First Nations also must be mindful of our kinship to one another. We cannot seek our own personal welfare. We must be constantly aware of the welfare of less-fortunate people. We have an obligation to fulfill. God will hold us to these obligations so that all our Native people may come to know Christ, and His power will be made real in our lives.

People Spoke to Joshua (1:16-17)

The three tribes accepted the responsibility of spearheading the thrust of Israel’s forces into Canaan.

The response was given not by the two and a half tribes only but by the officers of all the people. They did it heartily and promised obedience without murmuring and disputing.

In addition to unwavering obedience, they also prayed for God’s presence to be with Joshua, “Only may the Lord your God be with you [that you will be prosperous and successful] as he was with Moses” (v. 17).

God’s leaders among the Native American/First Nations people need this support from the people they lead. Native churches and missions are on the threshold of crossing the Jordan in the name of the Lord.

The leaders helping people carry the gospel to other reservations and tribes need to be lifted in prayer to the Lord. Native people are comfortable in staying close to home in familiar surroundings. Yet untold thousands have never heard about the Jesus way. We as Native people must take the initiative to carry the gospel to the outermost parts of the world.

Indeed, the true spiritual leader is but an instrument in the hand of God. This instrument is one through whom God will lead people to His way.

The Call to Commitment

Now the challenge comes to us. What do we need to do as willing instruments to carry out God’s Commission? What is the relationship between the pastor and church members?

The place of leadership is a lonely position. When burdens overwhelmed Moses, he was able to speak freely to Joshua. Joshua would listen, understand, and keep his leader’s confidence to himself. Pastors often need someone to trust and share burdens with. Such a relationship is a mutual relationship developed over many life-sharing experiences.

Every pastor needs a champion someone who will dare stand alongside him when problems and difficulties arise. Such persons try to understand the problem and the pastor. Our strength, added to that of God’s leader, can turn possible defeat into victory.

During the early 1950s when the newly appointed missionary Michael Naranjo was building a church on his personal property, there was opposition from the established church and tribal leaders. God worked in His own miraculous way. Michael’s brother-in-law was elected governor of the pueblo. He came to know the Lord as his personal Savior, and the opposition to the construction was laid to rest. This newly elected governor insisted on freedom of worship. He discouraged any further opposition. Today this church stands as a beacon to a dark community in sin.

What is your personal commitment in fulfilling God’s purpose? Would love to hear from you!

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