Joshua 4:14
“On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.”
Taking over the leadership role of Israel was no small step for Joshua. For most people, this would have been an intimidating task, and maybe that is why God said, “Be strong and of a good courage…” Joshua completely understood that he couldn’t replace Moses, but he also understood that somebody had to lead.
The one act that helped Joshua gain Israel’s respect was the parting of the Jordan River. When the people saw the river part, and they were able to pass over on dry land, they knew at that point that God’s hand was upon him. This is why it says in the verse above, “On that day the LORD magnified Joshua…and they feared him, as they feared Moses…”
Joshua easily could have stepped into the leadership role and demanded the people’s respect, but he chose to earn his stripes by allowing to God work through him. This caused him to gain their respect and fear naturally. He understood that you could demand respect, shame people into following, but if you are going to get the most out of those you lead, you must earn your stripes of respect and fear. There are some very valuable lessons that leaders can learn from Joshua earning his stripes.
First, a leadership position may give you authority, but it doesn’t give you respect. You can certainly demand that people follow you, but you will not have their heart when you don’t have their respect. Joshua didn’t have to demand respect because he had earned it. If you are a leader, stop demanding that people respect you and earn it.
Second, respect come when followers see you working alongside them. Joshua didn’t tell the people to go over while he stayed back; no, he went forward with them through the Jordan River on the other side. One of the easiest ways to earn the respect of your followers is by working alongside them. When a pastor goes soul winning with his people, is at church-wide work days, attends prayer meetings with the people and performs the dirty tasks of cleaning the restrooms, the people will see this and respect him. It doesn’t matter what the leadership role is; the leader will earn respect when they are willing to work alongside those whom they lead.
Third, respect come when God works the miraculous through the leader. I firmly believe that every incoming leader needs a “parting of the Jordan River” moment to establish themselves in the hearts of the people. If Joshua had never had the Jordan River experience, he would have never gained the respect of those he was leading. You can demand respect all you want, publicly shame people to get them to fear you, but it isn’t until you have a Jordan River moment that you will earn their respect. When your followers see that God’s hand is on your life, that is when they will respect you. You only get this through prayer and walking with God. God doesn’t work through leaders who don’t walk with Him.
Have you earned your leadership stripes? When you earn them, you’ll not only have their respect, you will have their hearts. When you have their hearts, you will be able to lead them to God’s Promised Land for their lives.