Empowered Leadership: A Divine Call to Remember and Trust.
After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles,
the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them.
Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families,
your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
Nehemiah 4:14
Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there.
Our God will fight for us!”
Nehemiah 4:20
To lead is to face great battles, it’s a calling to command those whom God has called and made His soldiers to fight against the hosts of the enemy (Ep. 6:12). In the construction of the walls of Jerusalem, the great leader Nehemiah never failed to consider his dependence and recognition of the great and fearsome God (Nehemiah 4:12). His words of encouragement to the people were not solely based on his leadership abilities but on the great and fearsome God.
When Nehemiah calls the people to remember the great and fearsome God, he surely had in mind to bring to their remembrance all that God had already done for them. “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds” Psalm 77:11-12.
The Word of God is an inexhaustible well of wise counsel for the leadership journey. It is not uncommon for us to forget our complete dependence on God and act as if we are operating solely based on our limited wisdom. Acting in this way, we easily fall into discouragement and even the desire to give up. Therefore, let us extract two principles that will encourage us, never forgetting to recall what God has already done for us in our leadership journey: First, Remember the great and awesome Lord! And second, Our God will fight for us!
Guiding the flock of God is a sacred responsibility, one that we would never embark upon without the empowering grace, encouragement, and divine presence that accompanies us. Like the journey of Joshua in biblical narratives, our leadership is anchored in the assurance that God walks alongside us, providing strength and guidance.
Looking ahead, we move forward with the assurance that, just as God was with Joshua, He is with us—empowering, encouraging, and steadfast in His presence."
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.
As I was with Moses, so I will be with you;
I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua 1:5
Antonio Mendes
Church and Ministry Leadership Consultant
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