Thursday: Humility and Perseverance
Read Ezra 8:21-23, Ezra 8:31-32. Would you consider Ezra’s decision not to speak to the king as foolish or brave? How did Ezra and the people show humility?
Sometime later, Nehemiah accepted the king’s entourage for protection.
Image © Lifeway Colletion at Goodsalt.com
But in Ezra’s instance, he believed that God could show Himself best if they did not ask anything of the king. Thus, when they reached Judah without harm, it was attributed to their God. Perhaps in certain situations, we may rely too much on other people and not enough on letting God show Himself. Ezra chose to let God do the work in this situation and proved to the king that indeed God was a powerful God.
However, Ezra didn’t act with presumption. He called the people together, and they fasted and prayed over the situation. They didn’t engage in their journey until they had spent serious time with God. They came before God humbly, requesting that His protection become a sign of His power, and God answered.
Read Nehemiah 5:14-19. How did Nehemiah display humility?
True leaders must be willing to humble themselves and be servants. Competent leaders do not require or need a “title” to gain honor. Nehemiah had his doors open and generously gave to the people. He demonstrated his faith in God, and his incredible dedication to God was an example to the people. He had a strong personality and a no-nonsense temperament, but He didn’t put himself above anyone else as superior. He had the highest position in the Jewish nation at that time, and yet he was unstinting. In this way, He reflected the life and teachings of Jesus, who taught us that the best way to lead is to serve others. Jesus did it, and thus we, regardless of our position, are to do the same.
| “And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all’ ”. (Mark 9:35, NKJV). What do Jesus’ words here teach us about what it means to be a true leader in God’s sight? |
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Humility lies at the very heart of Christian leadership. The whole gospel story of the birth, life and death of Jesus reinforces the ideas of humility and service. The foot washing ordinance is a reminder that humility and service should be where we are at.
The Gospel is the antithesis of the attitude of the Evil One that Isaiah describes so well:
And when you think about the apostasies that have occurred through out history, most of them have been driven by the desire to be the greatest.
Next time you take part in foot washing, don't let the ceremonial replace the action. Humility and service are core Gospel principles.
Perseverance: means to never give up, to keep trusting that God's way is the best way, no matter the ups and downs we experience.
For comfort read the promises to the overcomers in the LORD's messages to the 7 churches in Revelation 2&3, for example
Rev 3:10 because you have persevered I will keep you from the hour of trial which will come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth
Rev 3:21 to him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on my throne
Level 5 Leadership is a concept developed by Jim Collins. After several years of research, Collins discovered that all of the great organizations that he studied were headed by what he called "Level 5 Leaders."
These Leaders have a unique combination of fierce resolve and humility. They were the first to own up to mistakes, and the last to take credit for success.
You can work on developing the following skills and characteristics to become a Level 5 Leader:
Guess what the first character in Level 5 leader?
Develop humility.
Matthew 18:4 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Ask for help.
Matthew 19:26 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Take responsibility.
2 Samuel 12:13 13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die.
Develop discipline.
Those who were called of Christ lived a disciplined life following Christ, the people began calling them Christians because they represented Christ.
Find the right people.
Acts 11:22-26
11:22 When the church in Jerusalem heard this news, they sent Barnabas all the way to Antioch. 23 When he arrived, he rejoiced to see what the grace of God had done, and with hearty determination he kept encouraging all of them to remain faithful to the Lord, 24 because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And so a large number of people was brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas left for Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him to Antioch, and for a whole year they were guests of the church and taught many people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Lead with passion.
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
Booker T Washington
His entrance examination to Hampton was to clean a room. The teacher inspected his work with a spotless, white handkerchief. Booker was admitted.
https://www.tuskegee.edu/discover-tu/tu-presidents/booker-t-washington
Jesus had given us all these points in His word but we are but slow to learn. Had we been obedient to the word of God we would have become great leaders for the gospel of Christ.
Level 5 Leadership - Leadership Training From MindTools.com
Key Points. Level 5 Leadership is a concept developed by Jim Collins. After several years of research, Collins discovered that all of the great organizations that he studied were headed by what he called "Level 5 Leaders."
www.mindtools.com
Tnx a lot Newbigin for this.
You see Ezra's decision to not speak to the kings demonstrates the confidence he had in God and shows that he believed that God is able to keep his promises and will always come to our help when we completely trust in him. (There are times we have to let God fight His wars, there are wars in our lives that only require that God takes care of them - that's why it was only him who could come and die for the sins of man)
God fights his wars he doesn't need anyone to fight for him, but then he sometimes uses us and people around us to accomplish his mission like in the example of Nehemiah.
And he has therefore put us down here to do his work. It takes humility, teamwork, trust in God and passion to accomplish the task.
Thank you Newbegin.Much appreciated. I'm sharing your comments with a friend who needs it.
Ezra 8:22
For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
To ask for a band of soldiers and horsemen from the king could water down what Ezra had already told the king about God. This Ezra did not want.
He wanted the king to know that God actually keeps His promises to them that seek Him. It was act of bravery and boldness and faith in God.