Leadership

Reading: Jeremiah 22, 23
My Verse:  23:1  "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasturing! says the Lord." 

These two chapters give dire warnings to political and spiritual leaders.  In 22:3 You say to political leaders, "Execute justice and righteousness, and deliver out of the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed.  And do no wrong; do no violence to the stranger or temporary resident, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place."  To the spiritual leaders of Jeremiah's day You said, ". . . they commit adultery and walk in lies;  they encourage and strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that none returns from his wickedness.  They have all of them become to Me like Sodom, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah. . .and they say to everyone who walks after the stubbornness of his own mind and heart, No evil shall come upon you."  You, Lord God, go on to say in verse 25, "I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying I have dreamed, I have dreamed."

You could be uttering these words today!  Lord, Your word is alive and ever current.

You go on in verse 31 to say "Behold, I am against the prophets, says the Lord, who use their [own deceitful] tongues and say, Thus says the Lord."  You know the hearts of man, no one can deceive you.  "I the Lord search the mind, I try the heart." (Jeremiah 17:10)

I hear so many bashing our leaders and I generally cringe, especially if those doing the bashing are fellow Christians.  It is a great responsibility and You, Lord, put them there.  You tell us in I Timothy 2:1, "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."  From this I understand that my responsibility is to pray, pray, pray!  Thank you, Lord, for clarity on this issue.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!