In 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.’” vs. 6
In the midst of uncertainty and upheaval, Jeremiah dared to dream of peace and stability, a time when Judah and Israel would live in safety under the rule of a good shepherd king. The name of this new leader gives a clue to his identity. The one called “The Lord is our righteousness” will be the incarnation of mercy and justice, the very presence of God in their midst. We crave such leaders in our time too. We’re tired of the arrogant and the self-serving, those who seek power only to inflate their already super-sized egos. Oh how we long for those with love in their eyes and truth on their tongues who will listen carefully to our deepest needs and desires. And what a blessing it is when we find them in our congregations and communities, and even in our nation! These are the good shepherds, called by God to faithfully walk in the way of Jesus and provide direction and guidance to the wandering and the lost. We live in troubled times, and it’s the presence of such men and women that gives us hope and courage. In their shadows we find the courage and desire to endure struggles and continue on the path of righteousness.
Thought for the Day: How can a leader be gentle and powerful at the same time?
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