July 7 – Strengthening Those You Lead
Deuteronomy 3:28
"But commission Joshua,
and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will
cause them to inherit the land that you will see."
SITREP:
Have you ever been told your mission is to prepare the next
warrior to take the field? Deuteronomy 3:28 captures a key moment where
Moses, a battle-worn leader, receives clear orders: pass the torch, build
the next leader, and set him up to finish the fight. True warriors don’t
just fight their own battles—they raise up those who will fight after them.
Breaking Down the Verse:
"But commission Joshua," — The mission continues
through others. Passing the mission is as critical as carrying it.
"and encourage and strengthen him," — New leaders
don’t just need orders—they need courage and strength breathed into them.
"for he will lead this people across" — The future
hinges on faithful leadership stepping forward. Joshua’s victory would carry
the people into the next chapter.
"and will cause them to inherit the land that you will
see." — Sometimes the seeds you plant today are for victories you’ll
witness but not walk into yourself.
Moses was a warrior, prophet, and leader who had fought hard
for Israel’s survival. But now, part of his legacy was preparing Joshua to
complete the mission. He wasn’t diminished by stepping back—he was honored
by setting the next leader up for success.
How This Strengthens a Soldier’s Faith:
In military life, succession planning is survival. Leaders
aren't just measured by their own victories, but by the strength and
preparation of the leaders they raise up. Deuteronomy 3:28 is a blueprint
for every soldier nearing the end of one fight and preparing the next fighter
for the battles to come.
For combat veterans, this truth echoes deep. Your
battles, your scars, your lessons aren’t just your own—they're part of building
the next warrior. Your mission doesn’t end with your victories. It expands
into commissioning, encouraging, and strengthening others.
Encouragement and strength aren’t soft words—they're
battlefield necessities. Every Joshua needs a Moses who believes in him,
who sees the next fight coming and prepares him with wisdom, courage, and
support.
And sometimes, like Moses, you will see victories on the
horizon that you will not personally experience—but your preparation of others
will ensure that those victories are won.
The fight continues because you were faithful to train the
next in line.
ENDEX:
Your greatest victory may not be the battle you win—it may
be the warrior you build. Soldier, don’t hold your strength back. Commission
the next leader. Strengthen the next fighter. Encourage the next generation to
step boldly into their battles. The mission of God is bigger than one life.
Plant deeply, train wisely, and leave behind a force ready to conquer what you
only began.
AAR:
How do you respond when you're called to prepare someone
else to step into the fight instead of taking the lead yourself? Deuteronomy
3:28 is a direct command from God to Moses—not to cross into the
Promised Land, but to strengthen and encourage Joshua, who would. That’s
a hard pill for a warrior who’s led from the front. But real leadership isn’t
about spotlight—it’s about legacy. Your challenge: Ask yourself who you’ve been
called to equip. Is there a younger believer, a peer, or even a family member
who needs your support more than your control? Step back, speak life into their
mission, and watch God work through it.
Pass the Torch Without Losing the Fire
It takes more strength to hand off the mission than to hog
it. Moses had the fire. He fought the battles. But his final assignment was to
fuel someone else’s. That’s leadership forged in humility. God might call you
to carry the burden—or He might call you to back someone who will. Either way,
your fire still matters. So don’t let pride block the next generation’s
advance. Pass the torch, but keep your own spirit burning. The mission’s bigger
than one man—and the victory is still yours to celebrate.
Make your voice count—share what you’ve lived.
Share your experiences in the comments below. Your words could encourage someone else walking a similar path.
If you're comfortable, include as much or as little personal detail as you’d like. We suggest:
- Name
- Veteran, Retired, Family Member etc.
- Service Branch
- Years of Service (or Deployment Dates and Locations)
Every story matters—and yours might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
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