“In ministry leadership, the difference between God’s blessing and burnout may come down to this: Will you take things in your own hand or leave them in God’s care?”
“Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”
—Numbers 20:8
We all face mountains in leadership. Obstacles that feel immovable. Financial shortfalls. Board conflict. Volunteer burnout. Delayed projects. Exhaustion.
When these challenges loom, the temptation is to reach for the hammer, work harder, work smarter, push more, and strike the problem until it finally gives way.
But: the Bible gives us a different model.
The Power of the Spoken Word
In Mark 11:23, Jesus says:
“Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.”
The Greek word for “say” in this verse is legō, which means to gather, arrange, and speak with intent. Legō is not casual conversation. It is aligning your words with God’s will and speaking them with confidence.
This principle is behind many powerful Scripture moments, including:
- Ezekiel speaking to dry bones (Ezekiel 37:4)
- Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:39)
- The centurion who said to Jesus, “Just say the word” (Matthew 8:8)
When God Says “Speak”—But We Strike
In Numbers 20, God told Moses to speak to the rock so it would pour out water for the Israelites. Instead, Moses chose to strike it. Twice.
Water still flowed from the rock, but because of his actions, Moses lost the privilege of entering the Promised Land.
Why? Because leadership is about obedience, not outcomes. The way we respond to God’s instruction is far more important than the results we get.
How This Applies to Your Role
As an executive director, you have influence over people, resources, and vision. You can do your best to force things to happen—or you can walk in the authority God has given you and speak in faith. And then watch God move.
Here is what legō (gather, arrange, and speak with intent) looks like in practice:
- Clarify the mountain. Identify the challenge before you in one sentence.
- Gather God’s Word. Find Scripture that addresses your state and situation.
- Speak with authority. Address the challenge directly in prayer, using God’s promises as your sure foundation.
- Thank God. Offer praise and thanksgiving to God for His sovereignty over you and your mountain—even before you see the results, and His promise to act in wisdom and power on your behalf.
- Act in alignment. Move forward in ways that match what you’ve declared.
- Stay in submission. Trust God’s timing and method, even if His answer looks different from your expectation.
There are many instances in Scripture where God’s answer tarried longer than the recipient of the miracle expected or hoped. But God honored their faithful obedience, patience, and trust. There are also numerous biblical accounts of men and women praising God as they faced the impossible—immense armies, raging kings, incessant drought, empty nets—and then seeing God act in power on their behalf. Exceeding abundantly beyond all they asked or imagined (Ephesians 3:20).
Faith-speaking is not about bending God to our will—it’s about bringing our will into alignment with His.
Some current faith movements take biblical principles and twist them into formulas for personal prosperity and success. Success in itself isn’t wrong (Deuteronomy 8:18). But biblical authority is rooted in God’s sovereignty, not our control. And trusting the outcome to Him.
We speak in obedience because the God we serve said to—not for Him to obey our visions and goals.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” —Matthew 6:33
Your Next Step
This week, identify one seemingly insurmountable challenge your organization is facing and apply the legō principle:
- Gather Scripture
- Pray aloud with authority and thanksgiving
- Act as if God’s promise is already in motion
Then watch how speaking His Word over your obstacles changes not only your perspective but also—in His perfect time—your mountain.
