All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)
The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them.
(Romans 8:14 NCV)
Last year, I started the Bible Recap plan to read through the entire Bible in a year. I made it as far as Jeremiah or Lamentations, but got so bogged down that I ended up quitting reading altogether. This year, I’ve made it back to Jeremiah—with a bit of trepidation—but I’m hopeful that I’ll finish the whole Bible by the end of the year.
This week, I watched a video providing some context for the book of Jeremiah. It explained how the book was written as a warning to Israel—and the surrounding nations—that God’s judgment for their idolatry was near. When you consider what Jeremiah endured, and that he went on to write an entire book (Lamentations) grieving what God had to do, it’s clear this isn’t light or easy reading. However, I was reminded that Jeremiah also includes glimpses into his life, as well as moments of hope.
Today, I read the first three chapters, and I already found a “golden nugget” to pray with. After confronting the people about their sins for most of these chapters, God extends an invitation to repent and shares His promises with them:
“Return, faithless people,” declares the Lord, “for I am your husband. I will choose you—one from a town and two from a clan—and bring you to Zion.”
(Jeremiah 3:14, NIV)
And then this beautiful promise:
“Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”
(Jeremiah 3:15, NIV)
Don’t we need that kind of leadership today!!!
In our nation, our states, our counties, our churches, our homes, and our workplaces we desperately need good and godly leaders. We need leaders who are after God’s own heart, who lead with wisdom and understanding that comes from him. So, today, let us use Jeremiah’s words to pray for the leaders around us.
Perfect and Loving God,
Thank you for giving us moments of hope and promise, even in distressing contexts like Jeremiah and Lamentations. Thank you for your perfect Word that instructs, reproves, corrects, trains, equips, sanctifies, builds faith, and accomplishes your purposes. Thank you for choosing and inviting us to be your children, and for the benefits and blessings that identity provides when we commit our lives to the One True God.
Today we pray for the leaders among us – in our homes, our churches, our workplaces, our civic institutions, and in all levels of government. We pray that every one of these men and women will be children after your own heart, dedicating their lives to your justice, peace, and joy, and furthering the Good News of your Kingdom. We pray they will each be shepherds of the people they lead, operating with knowledge, wisdom, and deep understanding of your righteousness. May the fruit of their works be good leadership that builds up, encourages, and blesses those around them. We ask this in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17 ESV)
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV)
When God reigns, the order of the day is redeeming justice, true peace, and joy made possible by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17 VOICE)