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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