In 2 Chronicles 11:13-17 we see that strength flows from strong spiritual leadership.
After division of the kingdom of Israel, the Levitical priests flocked to Jerusalem in support of the new king Rehoboam, Solomon's son, reigning over Judah.They left their own lands at great personal sacrifice (vs 13-14).
Spiritual leadership always involves sacrifice of time, resources, hours in prayer, study, service. The priests could have stayed on their lands, abandoned the priesthood altogether, and just enjoyed that great milk and honey, eating grapes the size of basketballs. But they esteemed the worship of God to be more valuable than the stuff of this world. This sacrifice served as an example to people of the nation who set their hearts to seek the Lord (vs 16). The spiritual devotion of the Levites inspired a kingdom wide determination to seek God. The result was a strengthening of the people as a whole (vs 17) and security. The Levitical obedience to God's word was the source of strength and blessing to the entire kingdom of Judah.
To what degree is the blessing of people under our leadership dependent on our personal spiritual obedience and sacrifices in following Jesus? This is a very sobering question. It is answered by Jesus in John 15:1-11. He says that we cannot produce fruit if we are not attached to the vine. But when we are attached to Jesus, abiding in him, we will bear much fruit! This is true both in our personal lives and in our ministry.
Strength flows from strong spiritual leadership.
After division of the kingdom of Israel, the Levitical priests flocked to Jerusalem in support of the new king Rehoboam, Solomon's son, reigning over Judah.They left their own lands at great personal sacrifice (vs 13-14).
Spiritual leadership always involves sacrifice of time, resources, hours in prayer, study, service. The priests could have stayed on their lands, abandoned the priesthood altogether, and just enjoyed that great milk and honey, eating grapes the size of basketballs. But they esteemed the worship of God to be more valuable than the stuff of this world. This sacrifice served as an example to people of the nation who set their hearts to seek the Lord (vs 16). The spiritual devotion of the Levites inspired a kingdom wide determination to seek God. The result was a strengthening of the people as a whole (vs 17) and security. The Levitical obedience to God's word was the source of strength and blessing to the entire kingdom of Judah.
To what degree is the blessing of people under our leadership dependent on our personal spiritual obedience and sacrifices in following Jesus? This is a very sobering question. It is answered by Jesus in John 15:1-11. He says that we cannot produce fruit if we are not attached to the vine. But when we are attached to Jesus, abiding in him, we will bear much fruit! This is true both in our personal lives and in our ministry.
Strength flows from strong spiritual leadership.
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