Written by Barry-Werner on March 1st, 2011. Posted in Dependence on God, Jeremiah, Leadership Principles, Old Testament,Personal Development, Recognition, Trust. God longs to bless and reward obedient leaders. Read Jeremiah 29:1-14. Jeremiah had warned Judah for decades to repent of their violations of the covenant they had made with God. Eventually God gave Babylon military success against Judah. Babylon invaded Judah three times. Once they simply made Jerusalem and Judah subject to their rule and forced them to pay an annual tribute, once they took several thousand captives back to Babylon including the king and his family, Daniel and others that were the brightest and best Judah had to offer, and during the third invasion they destroyed the city of Jerusalem, mercilessly massacred thousands, and took virtually all the able bodied back to Babylon in chains. In chapter 29 Jeremiah is writing to the first group of captives that were taken to Babylon. Through Jeremiah’s letter God sends encouragement and tells the captives to settle in, raise their families and be content in their new home because they will be there for 70 years. In verses 11-14 God gives the exiles hope that if they are obedient He will reward them by allowing them to return to Judah and Jerusalem. Christian leaders serve a God who enjoys lavishing benefits on those who turn to Him in dependence and trust. He hates the judgment that sin and rebellion entail. “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” Ezekiel 18:23. Even in Judah’s darkest hour, God assured the people of His plans to prosper them and give them a hopeful future. Even when leaders don’t see immediate result, they can remain assured of God’s ultimate blessing and benefit. The fruit may not come immediately, but it will come ultimately. Since God consistently reveals a passion for our highest good, it is difficult to know why leaders so often struggle with seeking Him and the rewards He offers. The Bible has a lot to say about God’s desire to reward and bless the obedient. The scriptures consistently present God as the lover of our souls who delights in rewarding His people with joy. Wise leaders pay attention to how God used rewards. Effective leaders understand the human need for reward, and they make use of recognition and compensation to lift morale and improve performance.
Do you understand your team’s need for rewards? (163-2)
