Image from saltandlighttv.org/blog
A King in Every Setting
From Jeremiah 23: 1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. 2Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. 3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord. 5 The days are surely coming, says 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. 6 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."
From the ancient pages of prophecy, come these words we read above from the prophet Jeremiah. Known for his emotional nature and deep care for God and God's people we see the reasons for that nature behind what he shares on behalf of God. God's desire is for a united, protected flock meaning that God desired the best for His people; but we know the story and false shepherds (kings) who came and scattered the flock. God's response is harsh, "I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord." But God's response and care for the scattered sheep has God saying, "I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply." God promised to provide shepherds to watch these sheep who would provide protection that would drive out fear and no longer would they be separated from the flock. Further, God says the day is coming when out of David will come a righteous Branch, who will be the true king who will rule with wisdom, justice and righteousness throughout the land. Through this king will the people of God find salvation and a life lived with God's full protection. And this king's name is "The Lord is our righteousness."
We are those sheep and ours are those promises if we so choose to receive them and live by them. We serve a loving God, Who sent His only Son, as that "Lord (of) our righteousness," who is Jesus, Whom we declare as Christ the King. This coming Sunday is that Sunday set apart to worship Him as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. The melody that should be in our hearts is the refrain from that majestic and always moving Hallelujah Chorus who proclaims those very words, whose words prompted the king for which this piece was written to stand as the words lifted high the name of Jesus; "And He shall reign forever and ever; King of Kings, Forever and ever, Hallelujah, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace..." Wonderful, powerful words of the wonderful and powerful King Jesus. To Him be all honor and praise!
PRAYER: Come, King Jesus, into my heart and reign. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
PS Please remember in your prayers, Melba Lewis of Portland, undergoing a delicate surgery in Houston this morning. Melba is the mother of David E. Lewis, our chair of the District Board of Church Building & Location. Pray for all the family with her today.
