17 February | Teens
«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;… And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.» Numbers 27: 18,19
When it was time to choose a new leader to guide the people of Israel, God had a specific plan. Moses, the leader who had led the people for so many years through the wilderness and who had spoken to God face to face, was about to pass the baton. God chose Joshua, a man who had been loyal, who had spied out the Promised Land and had faith that God would deliver that land to the people of Israel.
God told Moses to lay his hands on Joshua in front of all the people, so that everyone would see that Joshua was the chosen one. This was important because it showed that Joshua was not taking charge by himself: he was being put in that position by God, through Moses. The handover ceremony was a way for God to ensure that the people would continue to follow the path He had planned for them, with a leader He Himself had chosen.
This moment teaches us about the importance of following the lead that God establishes. He knows who the right person is to guide us in every moment of our lives. And when God chooses someone for a mission, He helps them by empowering them with what they need to do His will.
Take Action
Make a list of the names of leaders you know. This can include the name of your president, mayor, teachers, or even people in your family and friends who help and inspire you. Once you've made the list, choose a few of these names and take a moment to pray for them, asking God to guide and bless them in their responsibilities.