Hi everyone,
Sharing a devotional with you from Jeremiah 50:6-7 – Faithful Shepherds
6 “My people have been lost sheep;
their shepherds have led them astray
and caused them to roam on the mountains.
They wandered over mountain and hill
and forgot their own resting place.
7 Whoever found them devoured them;
their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty,
for they sinned against the Lord, their verdant pasture,
the Lord, the hope of their ancestors.’
In these 2 verses, it mentioned that God’s people are lost and have been led astray by their shepherds. This makes me ponder as a leader whether or not we are leading people closer to Jesus or further from Him? Do the way we act and speak draw people closer to Jesus? Do our values and beliefs in God being passed on to those we are leading? Those who are in leadership have a hefty responsibility because their actions will influence and affect those they lead. The last thing we want as a church is to lead people away from Jesus by our insensitivity, misbehaviour and sin.
The lost sheep will then be devoured by their enemies. When we stray from Jesus and His teachings, the lost sheep will venture deeper into enemy territory where sin, chaos and destruction is waiting. The more distant we are from God, the more dangerous it’s going to be. May we as leaders continue to guard and protect the sheep God has entrusted us. We are to lead them deeper into God’s truth so that they can love God even more. Let’s continue to be faithful shepherds.
It’s also good to reflect at our own lives too. Have we’ve been led astray in certain areas of our life? If we have, it’s time to turn back to Jesus and ask for forgiveness. Thank God that He is a faithful and loving shepherd, that even though we may be lost, He will certainly come looking for us. He will help us find a way home. May God’s grace and mercy fill our lives. May we be convicted to surrender our lives to Him. This is a prayer for myself and for all of us.
Blessings,
Kelsey