Courageous Spiritual Leadership

2 Chronicles 15:1-7 gives some great truths about courageous spiritual leadership. The first seven verses reveal certain truths about cultivating courage.

The call for courageous leadership is given in verse 7, “But you, be strong and do not lose courage.” The Hebrew word translated “do not lose courage” can also be translated “don't let your hands down.” The KJV translates it “let not your hands be weak.” If one is going to be a spiritual leader they can't become so discouraged that they can't lead. How does one keep from losing courage?

Verse 7 says that one has to be “strong” to be courageous. This strength must be cultivated. There are four truths from this passage that enable the spiritual leader to cultivate courage.

Courage is cultivated by trusting the promises of God. (15:1)

God sends the prophet Azariah to speak to Asa. The Lord, through his prophet, promises his presence and warns Asa of the actions that could hinder that promise. It was a conditional promise. The words that the Lord gave through his prophet were given to encourage Asa. They were given so that he could cultivate courage in his leadership and life.

Notice what this word of promise and warning did for Asa in 15:8, “Now when Asa heard these words and the prophecy which Azariah the son of Oded the prophet spoke, he took courage.” The Hebrew word “ Khawzak” is translated courage in this verse. The same word is translated “strong” in verse 7.

Asa strengthened himself by trusting the promises of God. The promises of God must be believed and trusted so that leaders don't grow faith and discouraged. Second, courage is cultivated by seeking the presence of God.

Courage is cultivated by seeking the presence of God. (15:2a)

Verse 2 says it all, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him” The presence of God is conditional. If Asa wanted God's presence with him, then he had to seek the Lord daily. Courageous leaders cultivate courage by seeking the presence of God continually. Third, courage is cultivated by fearing the discipline of God.

Courage is cultivated by fearing the discipline of God. (15:2b)

The last part of verse 2 gives a warning to Asa, “but if you forsake Him, he will forsake you.” In verses 3-6, the Lord reminds Asa of what happened to the people when they stopped believing the promises of God and seeking the presence of God. "For many days Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law. "But in their distress they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him. "In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for many disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. "Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of distress.”

A healthy fear of God enables the leader to overcome the unhealthy fear of man. Don't fear what man can do to you, but what God can do to you. Fourth, courage is cultivated by focusing on the reward of God.

Courage is cultivated by focusing on the reward of God (15:7)

This truth is revealed in verse 7, “But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work." God promises to provide and take care of those who trust his promises, seek his presence, and fear his discipline. God rewards faithfulness.