READING: Jeremiah 4-6
I’m a pastor. Part of my work is to be a shepherd, a caregiver and a guide for the people of God. I’ve always known that’s a heavy responsibility, but readings like today’s only drive home that truth even more potently.
Through Jeremiah, God was pronouncing judgment on the people of Judah. They had become “senseless children” who were “skilled in doing evil” (Jer 4:22). They had turned to evil so much that God could not find one person “who deals honestly and seeks the truth” (Jer 5:1). What’s both surprising and painful to learn is that the problem wasn’t only with the people in the street; the leaders were equally guilty: “So I will go to the leaders and speak to them; surely they know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God. But with one accord they took had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds” (Jer 5:5).
In fact, the negative descriptions of the leaders continue throughout today’s readings. The prophets were making up prophecies, and “the priests rule by their own authority” (Jer 5:31). They had been so sinful that God committed significant words to their judgment: “prophets and priest alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace. Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush” (Jer 6:13-15).
Apparently, even leaders can be carried away into sin, ignoring conviction and losing their shame for their actions. When they fall in that direction, the people they lead fall with them. Senseless leaders lead to senseless children.
And, were it not for the grace of God, I could be a leader like that. All of us could be.
ACTION STEPS:
- Think about leaders you’ve known who have run the race fully and faithfully. Thank God for their example.
- Renew your commitment to be a godly leader all the way to the end.
PRAYER: “God, make me the kind of leader who models Your love and grace.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 7-9