The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5
Moses was a heroic biblical leader—a diligent, faithful, servant of the Lord. In his last days, God told Moses to go to Mt. Nebo in Moab. There, God showed him the land of Canaan and told him he would die there, never entering the promised land.
This story’s arc can feel confusing. Moses was one of God’s greatest followers, yet he was not allowed to live out his life in the land God promised.
Though Moses did not enter the promised land, we are here thanks to his leadership. Looking at his life and the example he is to the people of Israel, we understand what God expects from His leaders and followers. The reward is not the focus—it is the leadership and compassion that should drive our actions. This gives us a lot to consider about our own lives.
The high holidays have come to a close, and now our lives will transition from celebration to inward reflection. Autumn is a time of year to consider our lives, our actions, and our faith as we prepare for the quiet stillness of winter.
It’s no secret that the world is in a place of turmoil. Wars rage in many areas, the Covid-19 pandemic continues to threaten our lives, and many modern “leaders” turn away from those who need help and support. As God’s children, it is important that we do not act this way.
Moses was never tired of fulfilling God’s will. In fact, all biblical leaders persevered in God’s name. They all had qualities of humility, obedience, faithfulness, courage, diligence, and compassion.
Diligence is a key ingredient in our character. If we want to truly serve the Lord, we can’t do it without diligence.
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control, perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
2 Peter 1:5-7
Diligence comes from endurance. At times we are so diligent with the hope to see the fruit of our work, and at times it takes a great deal of patience to see the fruit of what we set our hands and hearts to do. The purpose of diligence is not the reward, the purpose of diligence is faith in God.
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:9
All of us are called to live a life that has a purpose and meaning, perform the tasks responsibly, and invest everything we have to carry out God’s word. We must be stable, be diligent, and patient.
It’s essential to understand that you do not need to be special to follow God’s calling. He calls all of us to lend support to the underprivileged. Just as Moses was chosen to lead God’s people from slavery and suffering, our calling is to spread God’s will on earth.
While many of us have remained healthy and productive in the past few years, thousands of others have fallen below the poverty line. Millions of people have been fired from jobs or had their hours reduced, leading to an increased rate of poverty here in Israel and around the world. Those with chronic health problems or illnesses are especially vulnerable.
With your help, we have an opportunity to provide mobile shelters throughout Israel, and especially in the southern region, to protect families who have no protection in times of crisis. The mobile shelters are vital for saving lives. With your diligence, this can help us to protect the lives of many.
With hope and perseverance, it’s possible to continue and develop, expand, and spread love and kindness without limits.
We are preparing to meet hundreds of families in the coming months, encouraging and strengthening them. We are turning toward individuals experiencing hardship rather than turning away. Though it may be easier to pretend that poverty is not our concern, God reminds us that it is. It’s our job to enact His will here on earth and remain diligent about helping and supporting those in need—and to never stop doing good.
Now, more than ever, we need support from you. Thankfully, Vision for Israel’s donors have been amazing! So far we have been able to bless hundreds of families with magnetic gift cards for the holidays, and we continue to support families who have encountered especially hard times. Over the summer we donated countless school bags to children and families and recently we donated two more vehicles for MDA (a bloodmobile and MICU).
Your ongoing monthly support of whatever amount you can diligently give will save and restore lives.
Helping thousands of men, women, and children, each year, for the last 27 years, is a result of great partners who are bringing us to a place of desiring to increase and do more. We hope that you remain diligent and supportive—so you can make an incredible difference, and ensure that God’s love is felt by all.
May the Lord bless and keep you.
Shalom from Jerusalem,
Batya & Barry Segal
