Waiting on the LORD – the Art of Leadership
My pastor later, was to let me know the seriousness in refusing God, the LORD of the harvest, the honour to stand prepared for Him to use. This situation is mostly same with many people. Thinking we are too weak, considering the frustration and recording even failures, we are reluctant in accepting to serve.
In the infallible word of God, we find God’s assurance in protecting and leading us through all challenges as we encounter in leadership. Leadership is influencing a group towards God’s desired future. If we are called to serve in God’s working field then we can’t depend on ourselves neither, can we depend on other human for the success of the ministry.
GOD USES THE WEAK
HE GIVETH POWER TO THE FAINT; AND TO THEM THAT HAVE NO MIGHT HE INCREASETH STRENGTH. 30 EVEN THE YOUTHS SHALL FAINT AND BE WEARY, AND THE YOUNG MEN SHALL UTTERLY FALL: 31 BUT THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES; THEY SHALL RUN, AND NOT BE WEARY; AND THEY SHALL WALK, AND NOT FAINT. ISA 40:29-31 KJV
God does not call a leader on the basis of how clever, talented and educated he may be. In as much as the compentencies of an individual can effectively aid him in influencing the society, the scripture above suggests God may have to modify (or in some cases destroy) the abilities of the person before He can use.
In Paul’s account to the church of the Corinth, He says, “19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 1 Cor 1:19 KJV” He further wrote following:
25 BECAUSE THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD IS WISER THAN MEN; AND THE WEAKNESS OF GOD IS STRONGER THAN MEN. 26 FOR YE SEE YOUR CALLING, BRETHREN, HOW THAT NOT MANY WISE MEN AFTER THE FLESH, NOT MANY MIGHTY, NOT MANY NOBLE, ARE CALLED: 27 BUT GOD HATH CHOSEN THE FOOLISH THINGS OF THE WORLD TO CONFOUND THE WISE; AND GOD HATH CHOSEN THE WEAK THINGS OF THE WORLD TO CONFOUND THE THINGS WHICH ARE MIGHTY; 28 AND BASE THINGS OF THE WORLD, AND THINGS WHICH ARE DESPISED, HATH GOD CHOSEN, YEA, AND THINGS WHICH ARE NOT, TO BRING TO NOUGHT THINGS THAT ARE: 1 COR 1:25-28 KJV
Here Paul is teaching us, through our weaknesses, falterings and failures, God demonstrates through our helplessness. We see God’s power, His strength being made perfect in our weakness. When the scripture, says “Out the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger“, it means God takes delight in defeating the devil, humiliating him by using the weakest members of His kingdom.
The paramount lesson here is that God, provides the strength needed for the victory, though physical point of view, it might appear to be too weak for any success, He is God and with Him all things are possible.
PETER AND PAUL AS CASE STUDY
We could find God marvelous dealings in the weakness of men in so many biblical characters. I have consider, two stories of the apostles. After the conversion of Paul, every bible student would agree with me that, under humanly consideration, Paul could have faced the Pharisee and the Sadducee better per the training he had received from Gamaliel.
Gamaliel was an astute and great teacher of the law, a member of the Sanhedrin. Paul understudied him bring into our remembrance that Paul had learned to memorize and quote without error, the books of the law. From our viewpoints, Paul could have evangelized the Jews better than to be send to the gentiles. Ministering among the Gentiles, these outcast people had little appreciation of Paul’s great learning and his mastery of the Law.
In this case, God put aside all of Paul’s natural strength, all education, cleverness and talent. Paul would later in his epistle to Philippians and Galatians considered the dramatic turn of event.
THOUGH I MYSELF HAVE REASONS FOR SUCH CONFIDENCE. IF ANYONE ELSE THINKS HE HAS REASONS TO PUT CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH, I HAVE MORE: 5 CIRCUMCISED ON THE EIGHTH DAY, OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN, A HEBREW OF HEBREWS; IN REGARD TO THE LAW, A PHARISEE; 6 AS FOR ZEAL, PERSECUTING THE CHURCH; AS FOR LEGALISTIC RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAULTLESS. 7 BUT WHATEVER WAS TO MY PROFIT I NOW CONSIDER LOSS FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST. 8 WHAT IS MORE, I CONSIDER EVERYTHING A LOSS COMPARED TO THE SURPASSING GREATNESS OF KNOWING CHRIST JESUS MY LORD, FOR WHOSE SAKE I HAVE LOST ALL THINGS. I CONSIDER THEM RUBBISH, THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST PHIL 3:4-9 NIV
To convince the gentiles that Jesus is the Savior, Paul depended on the Spirit of God and the working of miracles which accompanied his ministration (1Cor 10:4, 2Cor10:10).
Though Peter experienced a very great demonstration of God’s love toward the Gentile and was the first apostle to have evangelized among them (Acts 10), he remained among the Elite Jews in Jerusalem regardless of the constant threat of death. Paul would describe Peter in Galatians 2:8 as an Apostle to the Jews. He who is described as unlearned and ignorant (Acts 4:10). From a humble background of fishery, he was appointed to minister not depending on learning but the same Spirit of God.
Our greatest lessons here is that, He who calls us always qualifies the appointment. We are to humble ourselves before the Lord and allow his Spirit to move in us.
TURNING OUR WEAKNESS INTO BLESSING
Our weaknesses are not always disadvantages, those weaknesses are there for some purposes. If we can connect to the creator perhaps we shall understand Him better to ascertain why He chose us in Him like that.
Let’s consider four points by which we can turnaround our deficiencies into strength together with the Holy Spirit.
Depend more on God.
We are blind in our self-centered achievements, our education, oratory and connections can not always be some asset in ministry. If we are serving in the master’s field, then wouldn’t it be prudent we count on him rather than our prowess?
When the storm and the wind rose against the apostles, Jesus was fast asleep at somewhere “peaceful”, while they were have time battling the wave and the winds, Jesus was fast asleep thinking they can rely on faith. If we claim to be working for God, the we are to depend on him alone.
Our vulnerabilities, incapability, weaknesses should channeled us back to God. The scarcity of strength towards God’s work should not push us away from ministry, but rather draws us near Him. When we realize that we fall short in anyway, it’s the best period we talk of fellowship with God in prayer.
HE GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT, AND TO THOSE WHO HAVE NO MIGHT HE INCREASES STRENGTH – ISA 40:29
The attitude of depending on God brings His attraction and causes ?His glory to make manifest in us. Our inadequacies become our strength when we are allow them to press us toward godly dependence.
However, should we wallow in self-pity, hatred and complaining, searching for solutions on people, friends and colleagues, we disconnect ourselves from God’s immense grace provided for our success.
2. Confess the Word
Another wonderful principle that enables a believer to turn his weaknesses into prowess, is the ability to confess God’s word. This sometimes, seems too cheap to be true. God wants people who take decisions without fear and timidity. Inferiority Complex shouldn’t set in. God was you to be bold.
THE WICKED MAN FLEES THOUGH NO ONE PURSUES, BUT THE RIGHTEOUS ARE AS BOLD AS A LION. PROV 28:1 NIV
In the sight of God, it is only sin which has the tendency to preventing us approaching God. He cannot use the discouraged man. He is a God of faith. He calls those things who do not exist as though they were. God want you to confess positive things in your ministry. After discovering this truth, I have personally never being in need of anything.
The power for our exploits are on our tongues. By saying about ourselves what the Bible says about us claim the power of the word into our life. The word says, “we are more than conquerors” , so we are in the face of challenges. It says;
I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME. PHIL 4:13 – KJV
If I will constantly, declare to my spirit that Christ works in me so there is nothing that will be impossible for me. Some years ago my brother in the Lord, Michael Kingsley Quaye told me. “the church has mistakenly considered timid people as meek. While it considered boldly youth as arrogant“. All I seem to project here is that, there is a clear difference between people with low self esteemed leaders and those in genuine sense of humility.
From the Christian points of view, we build our boldness from the word of God. You must learn the word, put them into practice and confess them over your own life.
3. Draw near in Prayer
Prayer is key in matters of depending on God. It’s the most significant way of fellowship with God. We are to approach God daily in our prayers and devotions. He is our strength and we are not to be afraid.
THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION; WHOM SHALL I FEAR? THE LORD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE; OF WHOM SHALL I BE AFRAID? PS 27:1 – KJV
Prayer offers us opportunity to praise and worship God, commit our cares to him, supplicate on behalves of other, exercise our faith, intercedes and consecrate ourselves in Him.
4. Exchanging Strength
BUT THOSE WHO HOPE IN THE LORD WILL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH. THEY WILL SOAR ON WINGS LIKE EAGLES; THEY WILL RUN AND NOT GROW WEARY, THEY WILL WALK AND NOT BE FAINT. ISA 40:31 NIV
God is willing to exchange strength with us. The keyword in the above text is “RENEW“, we are workers of God, hence required His strength. This is made possible during waiting. As we hope in God, He exchanges our weakness with his strength. He will not combine our strength with His, He replaces with His. Here sensitivity is key. Sensitivities in this areas;
a. Acknowledge your need
THIS POOR MAN CRIED, AND THE LORD HEARD HIM, AND SAVED HIM OUT OF ALL HIS TROUBLES. PS 34:6 – KJV
We can’t pretend we are strong while inwardly, we groan in this earthly tent. When we expose ourselves through the word of God. He provides, in abundance the light of the word.
17 WHEN THE POOR AND NEEDY SEEK WATER, AND THERE IS NONE, AND THEIR TONGUE FAILETH FOR THIRST, I THE LORD WILL HEAR THEM, I THE GOD OF ISRAEL WILL NOT FORSAKE THEM. 18 I WILL OPEN RIVERS IN HIGH PLACES, AND FOUNTAINS IN THE MIDST OF THE VALLEYS: I WILL MAKE THE WILDERNESS A POOL OF WATER, AND THE DRY LAND SPRINGS OF WATER. 19 I WILL PLANT IN THE WILDERNESS THE CEDAR, THE SHITTAH TREE, AND THE MYRTLE, AND THE OIL TREE; I WILL SET IN THE DESERT THE FIR TREE, AND THE PINE, AND THE BOX TREE TOGETHER: 20 THAT THEY MAY SEE, AND KNOW, AND CONSIDER, AND UNDERSTAND TOGETHER, THAT THE HAND OF THE LORD HATH DONE THIS, AND THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL HATH CREATED IT. ISA 41:17-20 KJV
I will conclude here, get prepared for the final part of this piece under the tittle “LEARNING TO WAIT ON GOD”
God bless you.
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