Jeremiah 23:1-6 (NRSV)
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Chapter 23Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Verse 2Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Verse 3Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. Verse 4I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord. Verse 5The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. Verse 6In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The Lord is our righteousness."
Devotion
Have you ever been offended by a pastor, elder or a leader of a church? Has the offense caused you to lose interest in the congregation? Are you on the verge of losing faith in Christianity as a result of the lifestyles or utterances of some acclaimed leaders of another church?
“Shepherd” is a figure of speech for leaders in the Bible. Though called by God, some leaders either neglect their leadership roles or lead the people of God lackadaisically.
Do not lose hope in the church. God has given God’s only begotten Son to shepherd people through this turbulent world. Jesus leads us with righteousness and wisdom. He is indeed our righteous leader.
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for being a model of righteousness and a wise leader. I look up to you as my leader. Amen.