📖“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:1
📖 "For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him." — Isaiah 30:18 (NKJV)
Today’s conversation with a friend left my heart heavy. She shared her experience working in a church office, and I was shocked — though sadly, not entirely surprised — by her words: bullying, manipulation, dishonour, disrespect, control.
Elders — entrusted to shepherd God’s people — were instead using their authority to intimidate. She’s afraid to voice her disapproval of how they are treating her pastor, fearing that if she speaks up, her job will be on the line.
I’ve been watching this situation with our acting senior pastor unfold for the past two years, and it grieves me. The way they speak to him, the lack of love and humility… where is the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
This is not the first time I’ve heard such testimonies. Another dear friend left her church role years ago for similar reasons. Sadly, hypocrisy has no trouble finding its way into church offices, and it damages more than reputations — it wounds hearts.
Yet my faith is unshaken in this: vengeance belongs to the Lord. Pastor David will learn what God has for him in this trial. As for those sowing discord and dishonour, they will reap as they have sown. God sees. He knows. He will act in His perfect time.
Reflection:
As you reflect today, ask yourself:
✍️ Have I ever witnessed or experienced injustice within the Church? 🤔
✍️How do I respond when I see injustice within the Church? 🤔
✍️Do I stay silent, or do I find a Spirit-led way to speak truth in love? 🤔
✍️ How has it shaped my faith, trust, or calling? 🤔
✍️ What pain or anger do I still carry that needs to be surrendered into God’s hands? 🤔
Write a letter to the Lord, naming what hurts and what needs healing. Invite Him to speak into that place with truth, grace, and perspective.
Life Application:
Affirmation:
Creative Prompt:
Use paint, collage, or mixed media to express “the cry for justice.” What colours, textures, or symbols arise as you sit with your grief? 🤔 What would it look like to create a space for truth-telling and healing? 🤔
Closing Prayer:
Father God, my heart grieves for the damage caused by those who were meant to shepherd with love. I bring before You the silent suffering of those who serve under dishonourable leadership. Strengthen those who remain faithful under pressure. Cover them with Your peace.
Lord, my heart aches when Your people use power to harm rather than heal. Defend the humble. Correct the proud. Let truth rise in love and justice flow like a river. Restore integrity to Your house, so that the Church will again reflect Your heart.
I lift up every wounded pastor and every silenced staff member. May Your justice prevail and Your mercy be restored. Let Your Church reflect Your heart once more — a place of safety, truth, and servant-hearted leadership.
Teach me to trust Your timing. Help me to release judgment and entrust every wrong into Your hands. I choose to believe that You are at work, even when the fruit is not yet visible.
Lord, You see what we cannot. You know the hidden places — both the injustice and the pain. We ask You to bring Your justice, tempered with mercy. Expose what needs to be brought into the light. Heal what has been broken by those misusing Your Name. Restore honour where it has been stripped. And raise up shepherds after Your heart — humble, courageous, full of Your Spirit.
Help us not grow weary in doing good, even amid systems that wound. May we be agents of healing, not harm. May our voices rise not in vengeance, but in truth and love.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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