Consequences of bad leadership

SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY GUIDE DEVOTIONAL
Thursday, 08 September 2022
Opening Prayer
Oh Lord, grant me divine guidance as I read and meditate on your word in Jesus name.

Text: Micah 3:1‐12 (NLT)

Judgment against Israel’s Leaders

I said, “Listen, you leaders of Israel!
    You are supposed to know right from wrong,
but you are the very ones
    who hate good and love evil.
You skin my people alive
    and tear the flesh from their bones.
Yes, you eat my people’s flesh,
    strip off their skin,
    and break their bones.
You chop them up
    like meat for the cooking pot.
Then you beg the Lord for help in times of trouble!
    Do you really expect him to answer?
After all the evil you have done,
    he won’t even look at you!”

This is what the Lord says:
    “You false prophets are leading my people astray!
You promise peace for those who give you food,
    but you declare war on those who refuse to feed you.
Now the night will close around you,
    cutting off all your visions.
Darkness will cover you,
    putting an end to your predictions.
The sun will set for you prophets,
    and your day will come to an end.
Then you seers will be put to shame,
    and you fortune-tellers will be disgraced.
And you will cover your faces
    because there is no answer from God.”

But as for me, I am filled with power—
    with the Spirit of the Lord.
I am filled with justice and strength
    to boldly declare Israel’s sin and rebellion.
Listen to me, you leaders of Israel!
    You hate justice and twist all that is right.
10 You are building Jerusalem
    on a foundation of murder and corruption.
11 You rulers make decisions based on bribes;
    you priests teach God’s laws only for a price;
you prophets won’t prophesy unless you are paid.
    Yet all of you claim to depend on the Lord.
“No harm can come to us,” you say,
    “for the Lord is here among us.”
12 Because of you, Mount Zion will be plowed like an open field;
    Jerusalem will be reduced to ruins!
A thicket will grow on the heights
    where the Temple now stands.


Question(s) for Reflection
• Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?

Topic: Consequences of bad leadership

Leaders are to rule in righteousness and in the fear of the Lord (2 Samuel 23:3). Instead, what do we see (vs.1‐3, 9‐11)? Even today, we have leaders who are cruel, despise justice, distort the truth and judge for a bribe, are wicked and shed innocent blood, etc. Because of the evil of such leaders, God will hide His face from them and will not hear their cry or prayers (v.4), even when they claim God is with them (v.11). What characterized the lives of religious leaders ‐ prophets and priests (vs.5‐7, 11)? 

Today we have ministers who collect consultation fees for counselling and prayers or for prophetic words received. Vs.6‐7 should serve as a warning to us. In contrast to the life of the leaders and prophets, Micah’s life shines forth differently (v.8). “Therefore because of you” (v. 12) refers to the action of the leaders and prophets. How does that explain the result of bad leadership? The leaders and prophets were corrupt and had given themselves to sinful living; so they could not represent God well before the people.

Practice/Word Application
What next: Reflect on Micah 3:8 and make it a point of prayer. Pray also that God may give us good leaders in our churches and society.

•Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?

Closing Prayer
• Pray that God should give us good and God‐fearing leaders in our churches and societies.

NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN
PRAYER FOCUS
THE PRESENCE OF GOD
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy: ... Psalm 16:11
THANK GOD FOR:
The assurance of peace, direction and calmness we have in the presence of our God. The leading and guidance of God we enjoy as His children. 
PRAY FOR:
Brethren who may be sick, weak, disabled, orphans, widows and widowers among us that the Lord will visit them with His presence today.
Grace for us all to continue to enjoy the presence of God daily, as we persevere in all things.
Deliberate decision to abide and remain in His presence, inspite of all pressures of life.
PRAY AGAINST:
Turning away from the presence of God due to the rushing winds and violent waves of life.
Failing to see and experience the presence of God due to the situation at hand.

Offer a prayer of faith in line with Psalms 127:3

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