Listen

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. They will dwell secure, because he will surely become great throughout the earth; he will become one of peace.

Micah 5:4-5a

Think

Leadership is one of those buzz words that everyone has an opinion about. Countless listicles are written every year on the qualities of good or bad leadership. Humanity’s obsession with what makes a good leader is nothing new, and the Bible has a lot to say on the subject.

The Messiah is no ordinary leader. Here, the prophet shifts the familiar shepherd imagery by using shepherd as a verb to describe how one leads instead of as a noun describing one’s role. Sandwiched between the governance qualities and global reputation, the prophet throws in a nugget about the impact of the Messiah. We who follow the Messiah will not live in fear, exhausted by pointless pursuits. We will live securely because the Messiah has come to magnify the name of the Lord and save all God’s children. We are not a byproduct or an afterthought but an essential part of God’s plan.

Jennifer Hawks

Question to Ponder:

What does living securely mean to you?

Pray

God, I confess that this season is sometimes more stressful than peaceful. When I am caught up in the rat race of the modern world, return me to my place of security in you. Amen.

Go

God sees your worth even if the world can’t. Each and every day, God chooses you. May God’s strength and mercy shine through you today so that you can share God’s love with those around you.