Day 46: Humble Persistence

BLESSING FOR COUNTING THE OMER:

Baruch ata Adonai, ELOHEYNU melech ha-olam, asher kiddeshanu bidvarecha v’tzi-va-noo al sifeerat ha-omer.

Blessed are you, O Adonai our GOD, King of the universe Who has sanctified us by your Word and commanded us concerning the Counting of the Omer.

Today is forty-six days, which is six weeks and four days of the Omer.

Netzach of Malchut is such a powerful characteristic to perfect, and it may be one of the hardest to perfect.   The Hebrew word Netzach is in English, Endurance and Malchut is Leadership. We sometimes visualize leadership as someone who is over people, telling them what to do and where to go. We can see them as the end-all in knowledge and/or strength. They are to be feared and respected. They are on top of the preverbal “food chain.” Let’s take a closer look.

We need to ask what God’s vision is for people in leadership. We must know God’s standard verses the world's! Why? Every single one of us is a leader! Whether we are like Moses and have a huge following of millions or we are walking beside one friend, we all have the same job description of how to have endurance in leadership.

First, let’s look at who God gave as examples for us to follow. Moses is our first example. Moses led a stubborn people for 40 years in the wilderness. At the beginning of the journey, God showed them they could trust Moses because He was in constant communication with him.

“Then all the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD. And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever." So Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.”  (Exodus 19:8-9)

Having direct communication with God on a consistent basis may have made anyone feel more important than others! Joseph was another one of God’s leaders. Joseph endured betrayal by his brothers, imprisonment, and slavery before he was in leadership in Egypt and could save the Egyptian people and his family from famine.

Jeremiah was the “Weeping Prophet” who endured immense rejection, imprisonment, and abuse; however, he carried on with God’s message to a rebellious nation that refused to listen.

The Apostle Paul endured shipwrecks, imprisonments, and beatings for his leadership of others and his faith.

The most faultless One that was the excellent model for us to follow was the Messiah Yeshua!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.  (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Secondly, how do we emulate these leaders and Rabbi in our own lives? We must remain constantly under God’s divine authority! We must be unwavering and strong despite any adversity. Moses stayed under the authority of God even when it was difficult, and he waited on God’s intervention rather than acting in his own strength.

A leader is not a ruler with his own personal power, but a servant of God serving the people. We must control our own desires rather than dominate over others. Leaders are held accountable by God, which means they have the responsibility to maintain their own integrity, refusing the world's enticements to follow only God. They must have inner strength to handle rejection and stress and continue to act with compassion toward others. The leader must remember that God is in control and will bring about His worthy outcome, which may or may not be seen immediately.

Enduring leadership doesn’t make a loud noise; its strength lies in quiet persistence, continually showing up again and again with dignity, faith, and purpose! It is a long-term commitment. You need to keep standing, keep showing up, keep trusting in God and His ways! Never forgetting to keep humble when serving our King as well as our fellow man.

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'”      (Isaiah 41:10)

“And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."  ( 2 Corinthians 2:9)

My Father, My King, we come before you to ask you for your guidance as to how to walk as a leader for you in this world. Remind us to always keep our eyes on you. To be humble. To give us inner strength when those we want to help come against us. Assist us to stay in the race, no matter how long it may take. That we remember it is never about us, but only seeing Your will be done here in this world. In Yeshua’s mighty name. Amen