DEVOTION ~ THE BRANCH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

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Theme: The Branch of Righteousness
Text: Jeremiah 23:1-6

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the Lord. 3 “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4 I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the Lord. 
5 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and Prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 6 In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.



In the dispensation of the prophet Jeremiah, there were prophets assigned to shepherd Israel and Jerusalem but they were all doing it for their own advantage and misleading the people of God not to adhere the voice of God. Likewise in our days do we have leaders of the church doing the exact things as those prophets. However, there's a great difference, for in their days, the "The Branch of Righteousness" hasn't been born but, He  was born before us. We will look at this Devotion in this perspective.

Leaders of the church are shepherds. It is for this reason Christ said to Peter if he loves Him, then he should feed His flock (John 21:15-19). You are also a part of the Great Commission and so must shepherd the flock well. The Lord said, woe to the shepherds who destroy and scater the sheep of His pasture. If you're leading others in deceitful teaching, false prophecies, encourage evil, amongst others ( refer to Jeremiah 23:11-14) be prepare for the wrath of God. 

The assured shepherds that the Lord has said He'll set over His flock is us for we are to disciple to the end of the earth ( Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). We've been given the authority and power to proclaim Christ. The Lord has not give us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind to equip us to shepherd well (2 Timothy 1:7).

There's now a Righteous Judge, who will judge our deeds whether good or bad. He came to safe a perishing world, and has left us with one key thing to work with; that we should believe in Him and we shall be saved (John 3:16). We can't attain righteousness by ourselves and that was what led to the fall of most prophets of the past. It is the righteousness of Jesus Christ that's making us also have a right standing with God because we believe in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). If it won't take you a fortune to be saved, why allow your soul to perish? If doubts and fear have engulfed your life, submit to God and resist the devil (fear and doubts) and he will flee from you (James 4:7). Boldly declare you're righteous because the Lord is your Righteousness.



Prayer: The Lord my Righteousness, I thank You for the grace of making me righteous. Forgive me for my fears and doubts. I pray the Holy Spirit to take total control of my mind for it to be renewed in Christ Jesus so I can overcome the accuser's voice. Help me to shepherd the flock the way You want it to be done in Jesus' name have I prayed. AMEN!

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