Leaders Chosen Of God

Wilson Lim
2 days ago
9 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

In the Sydney Olympics of 2000, a group of women athletes were chosen to be in the last line to carry the Olympic torch. The line up was a highly kept secret. It was a moving scene as we saw women athletes of past and present carrying the torch in the stadium. One by one, different athletes appeared as the torch was passed on to them. The final and greatest honour was accorded to Cathy Freeman, the 400m gold medallist - who was the darling of Australia at that time. What an incredible honour it was for her as she represented Australia in lighting the Olympic cauldron.

When we serve God as leaders, we have been chosen of God to represent Him. 1 Timothy 3:1 (NIV) "Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task." Paul urges us to the work of leading in God’s church, the most important work in the world. When our motives are right, this work pays eternal dividends. It is a tremendous honour to be chosen of God to serve Him.

This topic is important to understand why God chooses someone to be His leader and what kind of leader we should aspire to be. But maybe you do not aspire to be a leader. But you should, for that is God’s purpose for every believer. We are all called to be salt and light in this world – to influence it. That is leadership! When we become parents – we are to be leaders in the home.

The issue is not whether we are expected to become leaders. The issue is what kind of leaders we become.

The issue is not whether we are expected to become leaders. The issue is what kind of leaders we become. This article helps us understand some of that. For followers, it is helpful to understand what kind of leaders we should follow. We can discover 4 key points from Joshua 4:1-10 in relation to that.

CHOSEN TO ACCOMPLISH GOD’S PLANS

Joshua 4:10 (NIV) “…until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua was done...”

It was clearly recorded that God’s commands were carried out fully – not Joshua’s, nor Moses’. God chooses His leaders to accomplish His plans, not the leaders own. Even Moses was giving instructions to Joshua on behalf of God! The leader should not seek his own agenda, His own dreams – but God’s. Jeremiah 45:5 (NIV) "Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. ...”

Like a good CEO who implements the direction and scope set by the Board of Directors, leaders implement God’s agenda. This is why God chooses certain kind of leaders to accomplish His plans. We examine 2 qualities here.

Accomplish through faithful leadership (v10a) “…until everything…”

We note that Joshua was faithful in making sure that every part of God’s command was carried out. As leaders we must be faithful to God and in all that He commands us. 1 Corinthian 4:1-2 (NIV) "1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."

God did not choose us primarily because we were so gifted, God chose us to accomplish His task.

Why is faithfulness so important? Because when God chose leaders, He entrusted to us His plan, His Great Commission. We must be faithful to carry it out. God did not choose us primarily because we were so gifted, God chose us to accomplish His task. That’s why unfaithful leaders will be removed by God in due time. King Saul was removed by God. 1 Samuel 15:10-11 (NIV) "Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: 11 "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions."

Jim Bakker, was a famous tele-evangelist who founded PTL (Praise The Lord ministries). He started right but got caught up in fame and wealth he was exposed to. In 1989 he was convicted of fraud and served 5 years in prison.

If you want to be a person that will be used of God in the long-term, we should be faithful in our responsibilities now. If you made a pledge before God, be faithful in it as best as you can. Be faithful in little things, then you can be faithful in bigger things in God. Faithfulness in ushering or reception.

When I was a young Christian, I started to serve in the church. I was involved initially with the tape ministry where we recorded the Sunday service unto cassette tapes! This was decades ago. Then later, I got involved in the bus ministry where I bused church goers to and from church. In both ministries, I was faithful and carried it out diligently. That was foundational to my serving in increasingly bigger roles in the church.

As per the parable of talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the faithful will be given responsibility of greater things. Gideon was faithful to demolish the Asherah pole (Jud 6:25-28) hence God could use him to overthrow the Midianites. It is a tremendous honour to be chosen of God to serve in a leadership capacity – let’s be found faithful.

Accomplish through motivating leadership (v10b) “…was done by the people.”

Joshua was able to motivate all the people to fulfil God’s commands. Consider this. It is easier to carry out God’s commands ourselves than it is to get many others to carry it out. The latter requires a leadership that motivates.

As leaders we should seek to motivate others towards the will of God. That is our responsibility. That is why leaders should grow in their leadership – so that they can inspire, motivate and lead multitudes to God. Nehemiah was such a man. Nehemiah 2:18 (NIV) "I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work." For years no one rebuilt the walls, but Nehemiah motivated them.

But don’t just challenge leaders to motivate us cynically! We should determine to be great followers before God. Do look at my article “Are You A Great Follower?”

CHOSEN TO PROVIDE CONTINUITY IN LEADERSHIP

Joshua 4:10b “…just as Moses had directed Joshua”.

Note the continuity in leadership. First Moses, then Joshua – both intent on carrying out the commands of God.

Continuity of God’s purpose despite the leader.

God’s purpose is paramount and He will raise leaders to accomplish it. Judges 2:16 (NIV) "Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders." God will see His purposes fulfilled regardless of the success or failure of the leaders. If a leader is not able to bring it to completion, God will raise another. Moses was such an anointed leader, yet God raised another who is better equipped, to take his place. That the Israelites may be led into the Promised Land and to conquer it.

No leaders should think that only they alone could bring God’s purposes to pass.

No leaders should think that only they alone could bring God’s purposes to pass. We are merely vessels, instruments in God’s hands. God works with and through a leader, using his gifts, qualities and strengths at different stages of His plans. Moses was important to inspire the people out of Egypt and to lay the prophetic foundations of the nation. Yet Joshua was better suited to systematically conquer the Promise Land. Don’t compare Joshua with Moses because God chose them for different purposes. Daniel 2:21 (NIV) "He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them..."

Should a leader fail, in due time God will raise another. For example, Eli the priest failed to maintain the priestly standard in God’s temple, so God raised Samuel instead. That should give a deep assurance to us, that God’s purposes will continue!

Continuity of God’s purpose is the leader’s responsibility.

We are not in a race to see whether our leadership is better than preceding ones.

When new leaders take over a responsibility from a previous leader. Our primary concern should not be for us to make our mark, bring our particular flavour, etc. Rather it is to ensure God’s purposes are advanced. We are not in a race to see whether our leadership is better than preceding ones. The test is how faithful we are to God’s purposes. Joshua did not set out to make his leadership distinctive. He set out to make sure it was God-centred. Thank God when our church leadership is God-centred not ego-centric!

CHOSEN TO LEAD THROUGH CHALLENGES

Joshua 4:12-13 (NIV) 12 The men of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over, ready for battle, in front of the Israelites, as Moses had directed them. 13 About forty thousand armed for battle crossed over before the Lord to the plains of Jericho for war.

Many challenges lay ahead as they were stepped across towards war in the Promised Land. The Promised Land is theirs to take – if they would face the challenges of war. What are some challenges leaders faced?

Challenges to unite God’s people (v12).

God calls us to serve Him as a church, not individuals.

Joshua was able to unite the Ruebenites, Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh with the rest of Israel in this common task of conquering the Promised Land. Leaders have a responsibility to unite God’s people so that we may be ready to confront the challenges ahead. We cannot win world by ourselves. That is why the urgency to make disciples and to unite them in God’s purposes. God calls us to serve Him as a church, not individuals. The challenge of leadership is to unite for God’s purposes!

Challenges that shake us (v13) “… to the plains of Jordan for war.”

Joshua was chosen to lead the nation into war! It was going to be tough! They will face incredible odds that will shake them to their boots! Leaders have to confront earth-shaking challenges! Leaders must not turn tail and run! Leaders are not primarily called to manage. They are called to advance. Leadership is not easy – but challenging. Yet also exciting and fulfilling. Do you like the exhilaration of Xtreme sports? Leadership can be like that!

God is looking for people He can raise up to advance His kingdom. Leaders who will not run from challenges but confront it by the grace of God!

God is looking for people He can raise up to advance His kingdom. Leaders who will not run from challenges but confront it by the grace of God! The key is to deal with challenges is the way we see it. Our perspective often determines whether we give up or rise up to the challenge. The challenges we face are often not the real problem. The problem lies with us. Some people can face huge problems in their life but seem to just whistle along. Others face small problems but are devastated by it.

Consider the example of David & Goliath. 1 Samual 17:45-46 (NIV) "45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head..."

When leaders dare to face their challenges, they pave the way to victory for others.

CHOSEN TO BE A REVERED EXAMPLE

Joshua 4:14 (NIV) “That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him all the days of his life, just as they had stood in awe of Moses.

Revered to be followed (v14)

God will exalt His chosen leaders before His people so that the people may honour and follow their leadership.

God will exalt His chosen leaders before His people so that the people may honour and follow their leadership. Joshua 3:7 (NIV) "And the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses." God may do this in different ways, to demonstrate His favour upon a leader. Often it is through some special successes. We can sense the anointing! It flows into the things the leader touches!

God will choose as He sees fit. God’s choice is not according to age or experience. But according to their heart, their availability and their gifting. God can choose a 20 year old to lead the 60 year olds. For example,: Timothy in Ephesian church. Martin Luther and the Reformation, Bill Bright and Campus Crusade, Loren Cunningham and YWAM, Billy Graham and evangelistic crusades. They were all under 30 when God started to use them mightily.

Revered but humble

Despite God’s exaltation, leaders must remain humble before God.

Despite God’s exaltation, leaders must remain humble before God. With humility, God will continue to use us. James 4:10 (NIV) "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." We must always remember – pride unchecked will take us out of the will of God. Remain humble and we will remain in God’s will.

CONCLUSION

God has an awesome plan for His Church. And to fulfil His plan, He will choose leaders who will function as His instruments. It is a tremendous privilege to be called of God into roles of leadership. Let us be a people that desire to be used of God in such a capacity. We should not run away from leadership responsibilities but instead seek to be a leader chosen of God – that we may influence others for God. God will use those who determine to make a difference. This can be you!