Do you give up when God does not intervene? (83-1)
Given impossible situations that may even appear to be God ordained, every leader faces the temptation to give up. Effective leaders find power in persistence and faith. Read 1 Samuel 1:1-28.
Hannah, mother of Samuel, is not on a lot of “top ten” leaders lists but given the definition that a leader is “a person with influence,” Hannah certainly qualifies as a leader. At a time in history when infertility earned women scorn and ridicule, Hannah was unable to become pregnant. Even though her husband continued to demonstrate his love and support, his other wife, who had been blessed with children, mocked and belittled Hannah, never letting her forget she was a failure.
Hannah did not lash out at her rival but rather took her sorrow and loss to God. She prayed and begged God for a son. Even though infertility was seldom if ever reversed by age, Hannah refused to believe that any situation was too difficult for God. Hannah’s prayers were sincere, specific and sacrificial. She persisted in faith concerning her request even when rebuked by an uncomprehending priest and God rewarded her faith and persistence with a son. And, when the time came for her to keep her promise to give her son Samuel to the service of the Lord she did so with a thankful heart.
At some point in their leadership every leader will face what seems to be an impossible, irreversible situation. No leader is guaranteed the kind of results Hannah received but every leader will be well served if they seek God’s help and are persistent in their faith believing God will determine the outcome of their situation. Great leaders are often separated from the crowd by their persistence in belief that God will do the impossible. Even if God does not do the impossible for these leaders it is the belief and actions based on those beliefs that allow these leaders to rise above.
Have you pre-determined that even in seemingly impossible situations you will not give up and lose faith in God’s ability to intervene? Are you in the midst of a situation as impossible as Hannah’s infertility? Based on Hannah’s example is there some attitude you can change or a prayer you can voice that you will hold to even if the situation does not change?
James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
