About the Narrator

Brig. Gen. David B. Warner, USAF (Ret.), and his wife, Lori, are the Executive Director couple of Officers’ Christian Fellowship. They assumed the position in August 2010, after retiring a month earlier from the United States Air Force out of Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He is currently serving on the board of the Christian Service Charities, and as an advisory council mentor for Faith Comes By Hearing.

This episode narrated by Brig. Gen. David B. Warner, USAF (Ret.)

How has God demonstrated faithfulness to you?

Our Scripture reading comes from Joshua 23:14, quoting from the New King James Version: “And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.”

Read the verse again, but this time more slowly. What stood out to you? For me it is the phrase: “Not one word of them has failed.”

Joshua’s declaration is riveting. God’s promises were to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob initially and later to Moses and Joshua (Joshua 24:1-5) and had covered countless miles of journeying and hundreds of years. Amazingly, not one promise of protection and deliverance had failed. Since God has demonstrated such faithfulness, Joshua is challenging the Israelites to consider not endangering their own well being by failing to love and obey the Lord their God.

From a leadership perspective, I must ask: What enables Christian leaders to maintain the charge when all around us say, “Give up?” Oaths, contracts, and legal agreements bind some to the task, but that which binds the Christian and Christian leader is God’s demonstrated faithfulness.

Have you, like Joshua’s audience, chronicled the trustworthiness of God in your journey? Joshua spoke confidently of what they had seen and knew about God’s fidelity. A reading of Joshua 23 and 24 reveals a strikingly impressive history of God’s providence over his people. As you look back, are you struck by the consistency of God’s work on your behalf?

Points to Ponder

Over the next week, here are 4 points to ponder during your personal time of reflection or with a small group or mentor. If you are given to 20/20 hindsight, as I am, examine your leadership through these lenses:

  • First, Do you have the assurance that you are part of God’s master plan? (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
  • Second, On a daily basis, can you rest confidently knowing that He will come through (again) in unexpected ways? (Matthew 6:33-34; Philippians 4:19).
  • Third, Will you abandon the “failure prevent” mode of performance and perform “heartily as for the Lord rather than for men?” (Colossians 3:23).
  • Fourth, Is your daily allegiance to and trust in God commensurate with His faithfulness to you? (1 John 4:19; Romans 5:8).

It’s time for the first monthly evaluation

Download the reflection sheet here. Use the reflection sheet to help gauge your habit of integrating faith and profession, and to help get you into the habit of keeping a written record of those times when the Holy Spirit speaks to you.