Who comes to mind as an historically bold leader on the world stage? Certainly, President Abraham Lincoln boldly led our nation through the civil war. General George S. Patton boldly led his troops across France, deep into Nazi Germany and on to victory in World War II.
At the onset of WWII, President Franklin D. Roosevelt tapped an industry leader, General Motors president William S. Knudsen, to head the National Defense Program. Within two years, Mr. Knudsen was converting over 100 U.S. manufacturing plants to produce defense goods for the war effort. His leadership built the “Arsenal of Democracy”. When faced with a threat, men and women of America boldly lead.
“Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 1:7&9. Joshua led the Israelites into the promised land. City by city, they conquered the enemy and took possession of the land. An early defeat at Ai brought to light that sin had entered the camp. Achan had coveted plunder from their victory at Jericho, a direct violation of a command given. Joshua purged the sin and got the people back on track. Now, late in his life, after the land has been claimed and allotted to each tribe, Joshua is recognizing the Lord God as the one true God that got them to this point. Now it is up to each household to raise a generation that understands what the Lord has done, and why they were to fear Him and serve Him with all faithfulness. Keep the spiritual enemy in check and physical enemies stay subdued.
There is a time to pick up arms when your family is threatened physically. And there is a time to pick up the Bible when the family is threatened spiritually. At this point in history, the former is pretty isolated but the latter is constantly present. Every dad is charged to accept the challenge and boldly lead his family spiritually by example.
Tips to Boldly Lead:
Be intentional;
Own your faith;
Lead by example;
Disciple the next generation.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for Your word and the example of Joshua. I confess I have coveted the almighty dollar and the illusion of financial security. With feet grounded in the world, I have led my family under a secular worldview. Forgive me. There is work to do and bills to pay, but Your charge is to be in this world, not of it. I do fear You and want to serve You with all faithfulness. Grant me strength to boldly lead spiritually by example and raise my family under a biblical worldview. That is the dad You call me to be and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father boldly leads spiritually by example.
