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Newsboys He Reigns

Scripture
Joshua himself spent that night in the valley. Joshua 8:13

Observation
Delegating responsibility is not always a leader’s best choice. Sometimes he must be personally involved.

Joshua tried delegating his duty to lead Israel when he sent out a small force to conquer a tiny town. Sometimes delegation works, but not always as Joshua learned. The men failed in their duty because somewhere along the line the values sagged. Achan was able to sneak off with his stash because whoever was in command did not make consequences clear enough. The value of full devotion crumbled.

So the second battle of Ai was not delegated. Joshua himself slept with the troops and the next day held his sword long and sharp to win the battle.

When should a leader not delegate? When values are at stake. I see the silhouette of Joshua, with fierce eyes, gleaming sword and the swirl of soldiers around him. His determined gaze would have affected the entire army. The values of any ministry are most concentrated in the heart of the leader. He must be personally involved at times to ensure that those values are absorbed throughout the entire team.

Application
Leadership is never done by remote control. Leaders must lead. What a leader wants in his team he must first have in himself. What he wants to see in others must first be part of him. Leadership is all about getting hands dirty. That’s still my call.

Prayer
Father, help me not to hide in the office but camp in the fields. Amen.