Tuesday May 9, 2006

Text for the Day -- I Chronicles 11:1-3
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Then all Israel gathered together to David at Hebron and said, 'See,
we are your bone and flesh. For some time now, even while Saul was
king, it was you who commanded the army of Israel. The Lord your God
said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you
who shall be ruler over my people Israel.' So all the elders of
Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with
them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over
Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel.

Devotional
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In the Old Testament, the king was looked on as a shepherd, one who
leads, cares for and protects the people. The king was to mirror the
image of God in the covenant relationship. God took responsibility to
lead, heal, support and create freedom for God's people. Many kings
were a great disappointment in this role. Ultimately Jesus came to be
the model of leadership as a shepherd.

Prayer
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Encourage me in my trust of the great Shepherd, Jesus, dear Lord.
Amen