Strategic leadership begins with the mind of God revealing His plan.

Now the Lord said to Joshua: “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its cattle you shall take as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it. – Joshua 8:1-2

A little context is necessary here. A few chapters earlier in Joshua, the people had obeyed exact instructions from the Lord, attacked Jericho with some very unconventional tactics and had seen God do a miracle in defeating that great city. Then they went to attack the city of Ai which was a lesser city. The spies they sent said the city didn’t need a full-scale attack so they sent a small group to take it. They got beaten badly and chased by the enemy. They were pretty discouraged and ready to return to cross back over the river. To be sure, the main reason for the defeat was sin in the camp of Israel but it should be noted they did not seek out God’s plan for this battle; they relied on previous experience. We often do the same.

As well as the sin in one person, there was a greater sin of relying on previous experience and their own abilities rather than seeking God’s wisdom and His plan. God’s initial response to them is to encourage them after their loss.

Confidence in man leads to failure before God but man can learn from his failures if he has a humble heart. Failure helps us to distrust ourselves, to know God better and to rely on him.

For those who walk intimately with God, great success leads to even greater humility. For those who do not know God well, success can lead to a prideful stance.

Joshua’s strategic plan:

• He receives the target and plan from God.
• He plans the details relying on God’s direction.
• He employs the whole army.
• He implements the plan relying on God to work.
• God gives victory.

Some lessons from this story

• Strategic leadership begins and ends with God in all its phases of thinking, planning and execution.
• The purpose of strategic leadership is to establish God’s reign in this world by overthrowing what is man-made and replacing with God’s desires.
• The secret of victory with God is to obey.
• Human tendency is to stop short and put aside what God said and do what man thinks is right.
• If leaders don’t seek God’s mind, failure will follow.
• God’s guidance is dynamic. We must not rely on what we knew yesterday to act today. We must know His mind.

Note: this blog is a summary of a devotion given by Djasrabe Siangar at the African Round Table in Nairobi, Kenya October 22, 2023