[Spirit of Leadership] PracticeSample

Embracing Humility

A second practice of leadership is embracing humility. The second big obstacle that Joshua had was the city of Jericho. Walled up, it was a fortress. It seemed insurmountable, impenetrable. 

But when Joshua was nearby, contemplating how he might conquer the city, Scripture says he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us, or for our enemy?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

In this moment, when Joshua would reclaim his military leadership over the people of God and conquer the city of Jericho, he first had to humble himself to get instructions from the leader of the armies of God. As he faces this giant, this warrior from Heaven, the leader of the armies of God, he says to him “Hey, have you come to me on our side? Or are you on their side?” And the Lord says to him, “I’m not on anybody’s side. I’ve come to find out who’s on My side.” 

It is the same in your life. If you’re going to be a leader, a Spirit-empowered leader, you’ve got to make a decision that you are going to be on God’s side. Somebody said God is for you, and yes, He is for you—if you are for Him. If you are not for Him, He is not for you. In fact, He is against you. 

Choose the army on the side of the Lord. Some of us need to move out of the dark side and come on over to the side of the King of kings and Lord of lords, because He is going to win. Are you on His side? 

The Spirit-empowered leader’s theme song must never be “I Did It My Way.” No. To be a leader for God, we must take our shoes off and humble ourselves under His authority. Joshua had to embrace humility before the victory would come.