Compassionate use of power and influence characterize God-honoring leaders. Read Matthew 8:5-13.

Jesus was becoming well known throughout Israel for His power to heal every sort of physical infirmity and illness. Even the occupying army of Rome could not avoid hearing of Jesus’ authority over powers that caused sickness. As Jesus entered Capernaum, a city which housed a Roman garrison, an officer sought out Jesus to ask Him to heal a household servant that had become paralyzed and who was living in terrible pain. When Jesus agreed to go with the solider to heal his servant, the man simply stated that he was not worthy to have Jesus to his house, but if Jesus simply spoke a command, the servant would be healed. He believed that Jesus had power and authority over every aspect of life and could command sickness to leave his servant and the spirit holding the servant in bondage would have to obey. This story clearly demonstrated a healthy use of power by both the Roman solider and Jesus.

It is the leader’s responsibility to create an environment of humility, justice, fairness, and mercy that makes it safe for the team. Read Micah 6:1-8.

Micah lays out the charges against Israel’s leaders in verses 1-7 and gives the people permission to plead their case for innocence. God gave the people every break and helped them in their times of need yet they chose to ignore Him and follow their own desires. They had a form of religion with the rituals they practiced but their hearts were distant from God. In verse eight Micah tells the people what God expects of them, especially the leaders.

God raises up leaders to nurture their team. Read Ezekiel 34:1-16.

At the end of chapter 33 God has Ezekiel explain the fall of Jerusalem to the Jews living in exile in Babylon. In chapter 34 God uses an analogy of a shepherd to describe how leaders in Jerusalem had abused those entrusted to their care. Their actions were part of the problem that led to the destruction of Jerusalem. In verses 11-16 the Lord of Israel explains how He leads the people as the Great Shepherd and gives leaders today a model for care of those entrusted to them:

Leaders must have empathy if they are to lead over the long haul. Read Jeremiah 4:19-26.

The people of Judah had broken their covenant with God and had rebelled against His leadership. Jeremiah had confronted the nation’s leaders and had foretold the consequences for their failure to change. He knew that if God had said it the prophecy would come true. He knew that the people would suffer. He knew they deserved to be disciplined for their actions. He knew the discipline was good for the nation and the people. Yet in verse 19 we see the agony in his heart for what lay ahead for the people.

Leaders don’t lose intimacy with their team when they stop talking, only when they stop listening. Read Job 2:11-13.

In a day when travel was difficult and international travel was almost non-existent, Job had made some friends in distant countries probably based on his business dealings. When some of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy in his life they traveled great distances to mourn with Job and console him. By the time Job’s friends arrived boils had broken out all over Job’s body. He had such severe skin infections his friends did not recognize him.