PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Isaiah 21-22
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I will depose you from your office, you will be ousted from your position. (Isaiah 22:19)
Isaiah is speaking against the leaders of all countries, including Jerusalem.
“The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1)
This does not make them right or good, but responsible and accountable.
Church leaders should not take their positions for granted.
Jesus’ harshest criticism was for the religious leaders of his day.
I suspect he is as frustrated with church and national leaders today.
As a church leader, I need to be very humble and serious in my task.
According to James, leaders/teachers will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)
Too often, God’s leaders have hindered, not helped, people from finding God.
These warnings from Isaiah are for us as Jesus followers, leaders in grace.
We have been ordained to share God’s grace in Jesus with the world.
We are authorized to love and serve in Jesus’ Name, a huge responsibility.
If we as Jesus’s followers fail in our task, he will find others to do it.
But we will be held accountable for what we did with his amazing grace!
PRAYER
Lord, we are all in office, we are all ordained to represent you. May we represent you well, and not drive people away by the way we live and lead in the world.
Regard for the Word of the Lord! Defying the Lord has fatal – eternally fatal – consequences: “you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago…“Till your dying day this sin will not be atoned for,” says the Lord, the Lord Almighty. HS keep me on the road of faithfulness – fully regarding the will of my heavenly Father – prick me when I go off track and go my own way! Never Lord to spurn you – to go against you and disregard your love and care for me! It is my urgent plea – till my dying day.
Those in power all too often put their trust in their armies, their wealth, in themselves. However this is my Father’s world and He is in charge and His will will come to pass. I was created to serve Him, to do His will. May His Spirit continue to lead me and guide me in the Way doing His will. I need to be an instrument of His peace.
Lord, Make us instruments of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let your love increase
Lord, make us instruments of your peace,
Walls of pride and prejudice shall cease
When we are your instruments of peace.
Where there is hatred, we will show his love
Where there is injury, we will never judge
Where there is striving, we will speak his peace
To the millions crying for release,
We will be his instruments of peace
Lord, Make us instruments of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let your love increase
Lord, make us instruments of your peace,
Walls of pride and prejudice shall cease
When we are your instruments of peace.
Where there is blindness, we will pray for sight
where there is darkness, we will shine his light
Where there is sadness, we will bear their grief
To the millions crying for relief,
We will be your instruments of peace.