A Word of Hope for South Africa: Trusting in God’s Plan for Our Future Last year, in November, we went camping with friends. As we sat and chatted, one of our friends asked everyone what scripture was on their hearts. This question stirred something deep within me. The Holy Spirit repeatedly brought one passage to mind—Ezekiel 34. This passage, a Prophecy Against the Shepherds of Israel, carries a stern warning and a profound message for spiritual leaders, me included. Ezekiel 34: A Call to Shepherds of the Nation Ezekiel 34:1-10 (AMP): "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel... Woe (judgment is coming) to the [spiritual] shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?..." In this scripture, the Lord reprimands the spiritual leaders of a nation, emphasizing that when a nation is in disarray, it often reflects a lack of leaders with true shepherds’ hearts. A true shepherd, as exemplified by David, does not merely se...