Ezekiel 3: (God said to the prophet Ezekiel) ⁸ See, I have made your face hard against their faces, and your forehead hard against their foreheads. ⁹ Like the hardest stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not fear them or be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.

God had given Ezekiel some difficult things to tell the people of Israel. There would be pushback, perhaps even violent pushback. But v.8 tells us God had prepared Ezekiel for what was to come, “See, I have made your face hard… and your forehead hard…”. The One who had called Ezekiel to his difficult ministry had also given him grace to endure.

If you are a leader in any capacity, these are difficult days. As leaders we are often called upon to tell people things they don’t want to hear. Even if it’s the truth. But today I’m reminded that God prepares us to fulfill our leadership calling just as he did Ezekiel. If you’re struggling with pushback right now, be encouraged. God who called you to lead will not forsake you or leave you to fend for yourself – in your own strength. Lord let it be so. Amen.