Your work will be rewarded
Azariah encourages King Asa
The prophet Azariah brought King Asa a word for a discouraging moment: but you, be strong, and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. Asa had reforms to carry out and reasons to lose heart, and the prophet's encouragement was precise — your labor is not wasted; there is a reward; so do not let your hands go slack. The promise of reward was the fuel for renewed strength.
Discouragement makes the hands weak. When a leader suspects his labor is pointless, that nothing will come of it, his strength drains and his hands drop. The antidote Azariah names is the assurance that the work will be rewarded — not necessarily soon, not necessarily as expected, but truly. God does not forget labor done for him. The leader who believes his work matters, that it will bear fruit and be remembered, finds his hands strengthened to keep at it.
“God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name.”
— The writer to the Hebrews — Hebrews 6:10 (WEB)
Discouragement makes the hands weak; the assurance that the work will be rewarded renews strength. God does not forget labor done for him.
“But you be strong, and don't let your hands be slack; for your work shall be rewarded.”
Azariah fueled Asa’s strength with the promise of reward. A leader formed here holds onto the truth that his labor is not wasted. The inner work is confidence that the work matters and will bear fruit.
Strengthen weary hands — your own and your team’s — with the assurance that the work will be rewarded. Counter the suspicion that labor is pointless. Keep working from confidence that God remembers.
Leaders let discouragement convince them their work is pointless, and their hands go slack. The blind spot is losing the confidence in reward that would have renewed their strength.
Notice where your hands have gone slack from discouragement. This week, renew your effort on the confidence that the work will be rewarded.
Discouragement makes the hands weak — when a leader suspects his labor is pointless, his strength drains and his hands drop. The antidote is the assurance that the work will be rewarded.
Are your hands going slack because you have lost confidence that your work will be rewarded?