Zechariah
10 reminds me of my first swimming lesson. I grew up on the water,
so knowing how to swim was a necessity. I remember my older brother
telling me to take off the float I was wearing, and then he proceeded
to push me into the water. He just said, “I knew you could swim;
now you know you can swim”. Lesson completed. Of course, I did
not realize that I was surrounded by family; I was just trying to
keep my head above water. Today’s chapter reminds us that in those
times of panic, we are not as alone as we feel. I believe there is a
benefit to being in proximity to those that are being blessed. We
read, “Ask the Lord for rain in
the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms… He
gives showers of rain to all people“.
When we spend time with people that are joyful, or calming, or
positive, it impacts our day too. I truly do not understand why an
atheist would want to remove God’s standards and instruction from
society. Everyone benefits from order, and high standards of
personal conduct. Yet in Israel and here today there are voices that
attempt to drown out the wisdom of God’s Word. Acceptable behavior
is replaced with individual rights to do wrong. “The
idols speak deceitfully… Therefore the people wander like sheep
oppressed for lack of a shepherd“.
Judges 21:25 describes it as “Everyone
did what was right in his own eyes“.
The more I focus on my rights, the less I care about your wellbeing.
It is dangerous to be in over your head with no else one watching
out for you.
God always holds the leaders accountable.
“My anger burns against the
shepherds, and I will punish the leaders…
the Lord Almighty will care for
His flock, the people of Judah“.
He includes a promise for the Redeemer, “From
Judah will come the cornerstone, from Him the tent peg, from Him the
battle bow, from Him every ruler“.
Are you living without stability? People that honor God will jump
in to help others in their time of need, “They
will fight because the Lord is with them“.
Why do you resist people of faith?
The
rest of the chapter is referring to the re-gathering of Israel, but I
also see a symbol for individuals that are exhausted from treading
water alone. “I will restore
them because I have compassion on them…
for I am the Lord their God and I
will answer them“. When you
allow God into your heart, the loving people of God also join in.
“The Ephraimites will become
like warriors, and their hearts will be glad as with wine.
Their children will see it and
be joyful“. There is one more
step, “I will signal for them
and gather them in… they will remember Me“.
Friend, are you listening for a signal? Notice what happens when we
listen to His call, “I will
bring them back… and there will not be room enough for them“.
Look around you; do you see anyone in distress? Here is a promise
for those ready to give up, “They
will pass through the sea of trouble; the surging sea will be
subdued“. The chapter closes
with “I will strengthen them in
the Lord
and in His name they
will live securely“. There is
a warm dry towel waiting to be wrapped around you. He wants to tell
you, “I have loved you all along; now you know it too”. Lesson
completed.