Tag Archives: Shepherds

Devotional

Shepherds of Unity

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Read 2 Samuel 5:1-5

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too” (Philippians 2:3-4 NLT).

Image created by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of Copilot, an AI language model developed by Microsoft and powered by OpenAI.

When thinking of great leaders, King David and George Washington come to mind. Both figures led their people through challenging times, fostering unity and setting the foundation for future generations. Their stories provide timeless lessons on leadership, faith, and humility, not just for those in high positions but for each of us in our daily lives.

Let’s begin to put this to our collective historical memories. It’s the late 18th century, and the American colonies are in turmoil. After years of fighting for independence from British rule, the colonies are now free but far from united. Enter George Washington, a man respected for his courage and integrity. Despite the power he could wield, Washington, an Anglican, chooses to lead with humility and a focus on unity, eventually helping to create a nation from thirteen disparate colonies. His faith in God’s providence was a guiding force in his leadership, much like King David.

Now, let’s travel back in time to ancient Israel. David, anointed as king, faces a divided nation. For years, he has led Judah, but now the tribes of Israel come to him, seeking unity. They recognize his leadership and God’s hand upon him. David’s anointing as king over all Israel is a pivotal moment that transforms the scattered tribes into a cohesive nation.

David’s leadership was marked by God’s calling and the recognition of the people. His reign began in Judah and extended over all Israel, uniting the nation. This passage highlights the themes of unity, divine calling, and servant leadership. David was anointed not only because of his capabilities but also because he was chosen by God to shepherd His people. His leadership was deeply rooted in his faith and trust in God’s plan, which was evident from his early years as a shepherd boy to his rise as a mighty king.

Both David and Washington were called to lead in times of division. David’s anointing as king over all Israel and Washington’s role in unifying the American colonies are strikingly parallel. Each leader faced the challenge of bringing together different groups with varying interests and backgrounds. Their success lay in their reliance on higher principles: David on God’s guidance and Washington on the ideals of liberty and justice, underpinned by his trust in God’s providence. Their leadership was not about exerting power but about serving their people and fulfilling a greater purpose.

David and Washington’s leadership teaches us the importance of unity. In our personal lives, we often encounter situations that require us to bring people together—whether in our families, workplaces, or communities. We can take a proactive role in fostering harmony by promoting understanding and collaboration, much like these leaders did. When we act as peacemakers and bridge-builders, we reflect the unity that both David and Washington exemplified.

Both leaders depended on a higher power, trusting in God’s providence. In our daily lives, cultivating a deeper relationship with God and seeking God’s guidance can provide us with the wisdom and strength needed to navigate life’s challenges. Trusting in God means seeking divine direction in our decisions and being open to God’s leading in every aspect of our lives.

David and Washington exemplified humility. David’s humility before God and Washington’s voluntary step down from power are powerful reminders that true leadership is about serving others. We can lead by example through humble service, recognizing that our actions impact those around us. Being a servant leader means putting others’ needs before our own and striving to make a positive difference in their lives.

It’s important to remember that both David and Washington were flawed human beings. David’s grievous sins, including his affair with Bathsheba and the arranged death of her husband Uriah, serve as stark reminders of his humanity and susceptibility to sin. Similarly, Washington, while a revered figure, held slaves and struggled with the moral implications of slavery throughout his life. These flaws do not diminish their achievements but rather highlight the complexity of their characters. Their ability to seek forgiveness, strive for redemption, and continue leading with integrity despite their imperfections is a powerful testament to the resilience and grace found in trusting God.

Facing immense challenges with courage and perseverance, both leaders inspire us to remain steadfast in our faith. When we encounter difficulties, we can draw strength from God and remember past victories to keep moving forward. Their stories remind us that perseverance in the face of adversity is a key component of effective leadership and personal growth.

David and Washington sought to establish justice and righteousness. In our lives, acting with integrity and standing up for what is right reflects God’s principles and makes a significant impact on our communities. We are called to be people of integrity, making choices that honor God and promote justice for all.

Both leaders left legacies that shaped future generations. By living out godly values, we too can leave a positive legacy. Our daily actions, rooted in love and justice, can influence others and make a lasting difference. Our legacy is built day by day through our faithful actions and commitment to God’s purposes.

As we reflect on the lives of David and Washington, let us remember that leadership is not confined to grand titles or positions of power. True leadership begins in our hearts and is demonstrated through our daily actions. By fostering unity, relying on God’s guidance, serving others with humility, and standing up for justice, we can each make a significant impact in our communities. Let us strive to leave a legacy that honors God and inspires those around us.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Great leadership begins with small acts of faith, humility, and service.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to foster unity, act justly, and serve others with humility. Guide me in leaving a legacy that honors You. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.

Advent Series, Devotional, Previous Post

A LOOK BACK: God’s People, part 143: Shepherds

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Read Luke 2:8-21

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”  (John 10:11, NLT)

When we think of God’s people, we tend to think one of two things. We might think of the Israelites who were God’s “chosen people”, or we might think of specific characters in the Bible. Either way, we tend to idealize the people we are thinking about. For instance, we may think that God’s people are super faithful, holy, perform miracles and live wholly devout and righteous lives. Unfortunately, this idealism enables us to distance ourselves from being God’s people, because we feel that we fall short of those ideals. As such, I have decided to write a devotion series on specific characters in the Bible in order to show you how much these Biblical people are truly like us, and how much we are truly called to be God’s people.

Part 143: Shepherds. We all know the nativity scene, right? Set on a starry night, fairly dark with the exception of the bright star shining down on a basic looking stable. In the stable, there’s Joseph along with Mary hovering over a manger (or feeding trough) with baby Jesus serenely lying in it.

Also in the manger are some sheep, a cow and a donkey. Just at the door of the stable are three kingly looking figures kneeling and giving gifts, while their camels await them outside. Above the door floats an angel pronouncing Christ’s birth. Finally, and no nativity scene would be complete without this, there are shepherds with their flocks, staring in a the babe with awe and wonder.

Seriously, we love the shepherds don’t we. We love that scene where they are outdoors tending to their sheep (a major sign that Christ’s birth was not during the week of the Winter Solstice) and the choir of angels appears to let them know that the son of David, the Messiah, was born that day in Bethlehem! We can imagine the glory of it all; however, the glory is where we end up getting lost in this story.

Shepherds were not a favored group of people in society. They were often viewed as outsiders because they lived apart from societies and were mostly nomadic. Almost always, shepherds were hired hands, tending to the sheep of others. What’s more, it was single men without children who became shepherds.

In some families, the shepherd was a part of the family. In those cases, the shepherd was usually either a youth or an elder who was not able to do harder work. The best Biblical example of this is in the story of David, who was out tending to the family’s sheep when Samuel came to anoint one of Jesse’s children as king. David was almost passed over because he was the youngest and out in the fields when Samuel arrived.

The point is, the Shepherd was pretty low on the totem pole in ancient Israel. As outsiders, they were viewed with suspicion and often with disdain. They often appeared like beggars, wearing dirty clothes and smelling to high-heaven of the pasture, if you know what I mean. They were not the folks one would invite to a kingly birth. Yet, the angels announced to the shepherds: “Behold! Born to you this day in the City of David is the Messiah. You will find him laying…how?…wrapped in rags! You will find him…where?…lying in a feeding trough.

This king was the SHEPHERDS’ KING. And like the Shepherd, this king would be despised and distrusted. The challenge for us is to shift our understanding of God’s glory. It is not about kingly riches, a bright light show, and exquisite music. It is not Christmas as we know it; rather, God’s glory comes looking poor, beggar-ish, dirty, and smelling to high-heaven of the pasture. Let us shut down our over-the-top expectations and turn on our awareness of the REAL glory of God: Jesus Christ, who is LORD of all!

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” – Roy L. Smith

PRAYER
Lord, heal my blindness so that I may see from your perspective and not my own, for your glory and not mine! Amen!

Advent Series, Devotional

God’s People, part 143: Shepherds

Leave a comment

Read Luke 2:8-21

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”  (John 10:11, NLT)

When we think of God’s people, we tend to think one of two things. We might think of the Israelites who were God’s “chosen people”, or we might think of specific characters in the Bible. Either way, we tend to idealize the people we are thinking about. For instance, we may think that God’s people are super faithful, holy, perform miracles and live wholly devout and righteous lives. Unfortunately, this idealism enables us to distance ourselves from being God’s people, because we feel that we fall short of those ideals. As such, I have decided to write a devotion series on specific characters in the Bible in order to show you how much these Biblical people are truly like us, and how much we are truly called to be God’s people.

Part 143: Shepherds. We all know the nativity scene, right? Set on a starry night, fairly dark with the exception of the bright star shining down on a basic looking stable. In the stable, there’s Joseph along with Mary hovering over a manger (or feeding trough) with baby Jesus serenely lying in it.

Also in the manger are some sheep, a cow and a donkey. Just at the door of the stable are three kingly looking figures kneeling and giving gifts, while their camels await them outside. Above the door floats an angel pronouncing Christ’s birth. Finally, and no nativity scene would be complete without this, there are shepherds with their flocks, staring in a the babe with awe and wonder.

Seriously, we love the shepherds don’t we. We love that scene where they are outdoors tending to their sheep (a major sign that Christ’s birth was not during the week of the Winter Solstice) and the choir of angels appears to let them know that the son of David, the Messiah, was born that day in Bethlehem! We can imagine the glory of it all; however, the glory is where we end up getting lost in this story.

Shepherds were not a favored group of people in society. They were often viewed as outsiders because they lived apart from societies and were mostly nomadic. Almost always, shepherds were hired hands, tending to the sheep of others. What’s more, it was single men without children who became shepherds.

In some families, the shepherd was a part of the family. In those cases, the shepherd was usually either a youth or an elder who was not able to do harder work. The best Biblical example of this is in the story of David, who was out tending to the family’s sheep when Samuel came to anoint one of Jesse’s children as king. David was almost passed over because he was the youngest and out in the fields when Samuel arrived.

The point is, the Shepherd was pretty low on the totem pole in ancient Israel. As outsiders, they were viewed with suspicion and often with disdain. They often appeared like beggars, wearing dirty clothes and smelling to high-heaven of the pasture, if you know what I mean. They were not the folks one would invite to a kingly birth. Yet, the angels announced to the shepherds: “Behold! Born to you this day in the City of David is the Messiah. You will find him laying…how?…wrapped in rags! You will find him…where?…lying in a feeding trough.

This king was the SHEPHERDS’ KING. And like the Shepherd, this king would be despised and distrusted. The challenge for us is to shift our understanding of God’s glory. It is not about kingly riches, a bright light show, and exquisite music. It is not Christmas as we know it; rather, God’s glory comes looking poor, beggar-ish, dirty, and smelling to high-heaven of the pasture. Let us shut down our over-the-top expectations and turn on our awareness of the REAL glory of God: Jesus Christ, who is LORD of all!

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” – Roy L. Smith

PRAYER
Lord, heal my blindness so that I may see from your perspective and not my own, for your glory and not mine! Amen!