December 11th

For half a century, the people of Israel looked to their kings for leadership. Each time a new king was crowned, the hope was that the new king would lead Israel to a place of peace, rest, and safety. They wanted to live like people who belonged to the kingdom of God. But each of their kings failed them. Failed to lead well. Failed to live well. Failed to protect. Failed to keep the peace. The result was that they were conquered and taken away to the country of their captors. 

It was clear that no man on earth could be the king they needed. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God laid out His solution to their leadership problem: 

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior. Jeremiah 23:5-6

Expecting people to do what only God can do was not just a problem for Jeremiah’s people. It is a problem for us too. We look to friends, neighbors, coaches, teachers, politicians, influencers, bosses, and preachers in search of that perfect leader. Not one of them checks all the boxes. 

Jesus, and Jesus alone, checks all the boxes. He is the Leader who rules with wisdom and justice. He is the One who saves and protects. He is “The Lord Our Righteous Savior.”

Take a moment now to bow, drop to your knees, and kneel before the Lord your King. Instead of asking for anything, spend some time telling Him how great He is. Speak every holy and powerful name of Jesus that you know. If you don’t know many of those Names, open your bible to Isaiah 9 and let it be your guide.