Show Notes
In this first week of Advent, Case reflects on Jeremiah 33:14-16 and God’s promise to bring forth a righteous leader. Just as God’s promises are unwavering, Case encourages business leaders to honor their word and create dependable and trustworthy places of business.
Nuance’s Formed for Formation is a weekly liturgy to encourage all of us to be faithful to Christ in the public square. Join Case Thorp as he follows the Church calendar through the reading of Scripture, prayer, and short reflections on faith in all facets of public life.
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Episode Transcript
Welcome to a journey through the Christian year. Society’s year starts January 1. For the Christian, our year starts in early December, and it starts with the season of Advent. As we enter into the season of Advent, we are reminded of the long-awaited coming of Christ, the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people. Reformed theology emphasizes the sovereignty of God in salvation’s history, orchestrating all events according to His perfect plan. In this season of hopeful anticipation, we reflect on the prophecies and promises that foretold the coming Messiah, and we eagerly await His return.
A reading from Jeremiah 33:14-16:
“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.
“‘In those days and at that time
I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
he will do what is just and right in the land.
In those days Judah will be saved
and Jerusalem will live in safety.
This is the name by which it will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’
Jeremiah 33:14-16 speaks of a time when God will fulfill his promises, establishing a righteous leader who will uphold justice and bring salvation and security. This passage resonates with the critical issue of business leaders following through on their commitments. In the corporate world, trust and integrity are foundational.
Just as God’s promises are unwavering, business leaders are expected to honor their word, fostering a culture of reliability and dependability. Ever had a boss you couldn’t trust? Exactly. The righteous branch in Jeremiah foreshadows Jesus, yes, but also brings to mind a leader who acts with justice and righteousness. Business leaders who follow through on their commitments demonstrate ethical conduct, ensuring fairness and equality in their dealings. This builds trust among employees, stakeholders, and clients. It creates a stable and prosperous environment. Empty promises and unfulfilled commitments, on the other hand, erode trust and undermine an organization’s foundation. Employees feel valued and motivated, leading to increased productivity and loyalty.
Stakeholders and clients are more likely to engage in long term relationships contributing to the company’s sustained growth and success. C.S. Lewis wrote, trust in a person develops as you get to know them and they prove they are dependable to meet your needs. Yep. Proof. One must prove their trustworthiness and then continue in it. Many of us know all too well the saying, it takes a lifetime to build trust, but only a moment to lose it. So be honest, admit mistakes, talk openly about challenges, apologize without hesitation, acknowledge the hurt feelings of others, take time to process. And in so doing, build strong, robust businesses that give God the glory and flourish in the bottom line, the quadruple bottom lines of profit, customers, employees, and the community.
The 25th Psalm, verses 1 through 10:
In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
A prayer by Richard Forbes:
Father, thank you for our faith that fosters trust and the trust you have given us that in turn bolsters our faith. Thank you, Lord, for the answer to our repeated prayers that we speak in both trust and faith and for the anticipation of your response. Help us, Holy Father, by surrounding us with your presence and allowing us to feel it in our souls as we wait on you. Holy, holy, holy are you our God whose promises are certain and whose answers are prayers as we pray them in your will in the name of Jesus. Greater you whose will is perfect, good and forever true.
We praise your name and give you all the glory for each of them, Lord, because all good things come from you. Here is today as we lift our arms and utter our prayers. This is the instance of your grace and mercy towards us and the warmth of your love that surrounds us. This is the beginning of our songs and glory and worship of you, the seed of our faith and the reign of your provision.
And now from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, beginning in verse 25:
Jesus said, there will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up, lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near. He told them this parable. Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.
Even so, when you see things happening, you know that the Kingdom of God is near. Truly, I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.
For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.
