It Is Jesus!

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 23

Scripture Focus: Behold, the days are coming, declares 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. (Jeremiah 23.5)

Devotional Thought: Much has been made recently of politicians who pass "Laws for thee, but not for me."  Lockdowns, social distancing, mask-wearing, tax laws, and healthcare plans are imposed on the population and ignored by the politicians.  Americans are a generous and sacrificial people, but we want leaders who will sacrifice along with us.

The people of God in Jeremiah's day were experiencing a similar disconnect between what the leaders expected of the population and what those same leaders were willing to do themselves.  Jeremiah called them false prophets and greedy shepherds.  God declared them responsible for the spiritual decay of the nation as they abused their positions of authority.  They spoke words of comfort rather than conviction and led the people into a false sense of security.  They preached only what was profitable to themselves, at the expense of the people. 

Today, we also have false prophets and  shepherds whose only concerns are their own comfort, interests, and positions.  These leaders - who should be serving the needs of their people - are found in churches, in government, in media, and in higher education.

Just as God did not leave his people without hope in Jeremiah's day, he does not leave us hopeless today!  The Righteous Branch of David has come, whose interest was never selfish but rather self-sacrificing.  Unlike the false prophets and shepherds, he did not come to serve himself, but to serve others: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (Jesus, in John 10.11).  Israel longed for such a shepherd among their leaders, as we do today. 

There is a faithful, wise, and just Shepherd for our world today.  It is Jesus!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you are the righteous Branch of David.  You reign in righteousness and strength.  You deal wisely with your children.  May you bring about justice in our land!  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 118.10-13

10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

12 They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.