Moses prayed, "LORD God, source of all life, appoint, I pray, a man who can lead the people and can command them in battle, so that your community will not be like sheep without a shepherd."

The LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a capable man, and place your hands on his head. Have him stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the whole community, and there before them all proclaim him as your successor. Give him some of your own authority, so that the whole community of Israel will obey him..."

Numbers 27:18-20

For 40 years, the Israelites had looked to Moses for direction. He had led them from Egypt to the edge of the Promised Land, but God told him that he wouldn't be the one taking them into the Promised Land. Moses was concerned. He asked the LORD to set a man over the congregation. He did not want the people to be like sheep without a shepherd. God answered that prayer by appointing Joshua to succeed Moses. He knew just what the people needed, so He gave them wise, experienced, and dependable Joshua.

Are you facing a transition of leadership? If so, ask God for direction and then trust Him for His choice.

God's choice for a leader is always the best, for He knows just what people need; so when a transition is soon to take place, trust God and He'll show who should lead.

Our Daily Bread - March 2, 2002