Jeremiah 3:15 “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”

This verse should be a comfort for every member of the flock, but it calls for humility and dedication on the part of every shepherd! The idea of being a shepherd of God’s people, whether on the scale of a local congregation or on a national scale, is an awesome one that must not be entered into lightly. It is clear that there are false shepherds in abundance, both on the local and the national scale, so what are we to do? Prayer is the obvious Biblical answer. We are enjoined to pray for leaders of all sorts. (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Representative democracy was an unknown when that was written, but if the command to pray applied then, it applies doubly now. With this being an election year in the US, believers not only in the US but around the world should be praying that those candidates after God’s heart would rise through the process and be elected, considering the influence the US has on the world scene. Such prayers need to come all the way down as well, to those in authority over municipalities, companies, institutions, and even homes. When leaders are in line with God, operating in His wisdom and understanding, good things happen. There are indeed no perfect leaders on any of those levels; Jesus Christ alone is the perfect Shepherd. That makes prayer all the more imperative. This verse should give us boldness in prayer, because we are praying for the fulfillment of one of God’s promises.

I have had grave doubts about my own ability as a shepherd, and those doubts in themselves have been a drag on my ministry. Since this is God’s promise, I need to pray and minister with the assurance that it will be fulfilled. I am not to think that the necessary wisdom and understanding are intrinsically mine, but seek God for them at every turn, with the assurance that He will provide all that is needed. That last is the big point for me! As a demonstrable geek, I have felt I had brain power but not people power, when the truth is, my brain power is totally insufficient and God will supply all the people power I need, if I will allow Him to do so. When my trust is in Him and not in myself, then I operate in line with His will. When I get cocky that I can do it, or anxious that I’ve got to do it, then I stray from His will. As He’s been telling me with great frequency for over a year now, I’ve got to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him to get it right!

Father, thank You for all You’ve been doing in and around me in recent days. Help me really absorb and retain all You’ve been teaching me. I ask for Your wisdom and understanding to mentor those in the flock who are feeling Your call to be shepherds themselves. I’ve not done so well with some of those in the past. Help me mentor without micromanaging, supporting and encouraging while releasing them in their giftings, so that they and the Body of Christ may be build up according to Your plan, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!