Bible Reading: Num. 26; 27. Mark: 8:1-19
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him” – Numbers 27:18 (KJV)
In the kingdom of God succession is from followership. God chooses a successor among those who have been involved with a commitment to stewardship and has followed diligently the leader chosen by God over His people. These method of succession guarantees continuity and preservation of original ideas and purpose for any mission. From our scriptural verse of today we notice God’s choice of Moses’ successor – Joshua the son Nun. This is a man that glued himself to following Moses. In Joshua 24:13 (KJV) the scripture said, “And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.” He was there with Moses in the land and in the mountain. In Exodus 33:11 (KJV) we see another situation when God spoke to Moses face to face in the temple and Joshua remained in the temple when Moses faced the people to address them. “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend, And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, departed not out of the tabernacle”.
You cannot be a good leader without being a servant. The spirit of servanthood is basic spiritual requirement for an effective leadership in God’s kingdom. When you diligently follow your leader and be obedient as a servant, there is every likelihood that the mantle of the leader will fall on you. We see the case of Elisha’s followership of Elijah the prophet was complete and total as stated in 2 Kings 2:6(KJV), “And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee here, for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, I will not leave thee. And the two went on.” You must be a diligently committed follower and servant to receive the mantle of leadership in the Kingdom.
We also see the case of Peter’s followership of Jesus Christ as complete and total. See Peter’s commitment to Jesus as stated in Mark 14:29 (KJV), “But Peter said unto Him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I” Succession plan in the kingdom of God is not by election it is by divine mandate predicated on true followership. A true servant gains the confidence of his master. God, who alone knows the heart of men selects succession through a test of true followership and servanthood.
To develop the spirit of a true servant you have to surrender your life to him who is an embodiment of a true servant as referred to in Philippians 2:7(KJV), “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”
Prayer: Father engrace me with the spirit of servanthood to serve acceptably in your kingdom.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo