Leaders of all kinds have a lot of demands to meet. How often does the uncertainty of where the energy, resources and time are going to come from cause stress in your life?
It doesn’t have to be that way. The problem is that most of us are trying to accomplish it all under our own strength. What’s the alternative? Lean on God. Realize that it’s God who provides strength, resources, opportunities, creativity – He is the provider for ALL your needs.
Yes, we have to do our part. We have to take steps of faith, like these biblical leaders.
- God provides solutions – God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac and he was obedient. When Isaac asked, “Where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” Abraham said, “God will provide.” God provided a ram while using the situation to strengthen Abraham’s faith.
- God provides victory – Moses had to raise his staff before God would part the Red Sea so the Israelites could escape the Egyptian army pursuing them. If Moses thought he was the one who had to part the Red Sea, the Israelites would have perished. Moses had to believe that God would make it happen – and He did!
- God provides favor and resources – Nehemiah felt God calling him to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, but he could not do it without God’s help. When the time came for Nehemiah to tell the king what was on his heart, he risked possible execution. Not only did Nehemiah find favor with the king, the king gave him the letters he needed for safe passage through the region west of the Euphrates AND to obtain the timber he needed for building. God was at work on Nehemiah’s behalf.
In the face of opposition and overwhelming tasks, these leaders trusted in and relied on God. That helped them remain calm and focused on what they needed to accomplish. We can experience that same sense of calm resolve that allows us to accomplish more in our work through trust in God’s provision.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
