"I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken."

Ezekiel 34:23-24

The Lord’s promise to an exploited people is that he will bring justice. He will restore his sheep by seeking the lost, binding up the broken, feeding them on rich pastures, and giving them rest (vv. 13–16). Moreover, he will give them godly leadership under the one Davidic shepherd-king who will be God’s servant (v. 23). As Christians, we can rejoice in God’s faithfulness: he has fulfilled his promise to give his people a shepherd, Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.

Closing Prayer

Lord God, I lift up to you those trapped in oppressive churches. Please deliver them, give wisdom to those choosing church leaders, and enable leaders to be faithful shepherds of their flock (edited from Encounter with God).