“Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and He will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.
For the household gods are nonsense, and the diviners see lies, they tell false dreams, and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.”
- Zechariah 10:1-2
For most of American history, Pastors have had a fairly influential voice. Did that ever make them rich or celebrity-like? No, at least not until recently with the use of radios, television, and the internet to broaden their viewership, but regardless of a pastor's prosperity, they had tended to be given credibility without question.
A lot has changed in a short time. The credibility of pastors and other leaders is questioned and challenged. It's about time we question the credibility of others. Yet at the same time, being gracious and knowing exactly what to challenge in our leaders. For politicians and judges, it should be their decisions and character. For business leaders their practices and ethics. For pastors their applications and character.
I bring this all up because leadership matters a lot to God and how He works in His people. He rose leaders to shepherd the people to follow God. Hence in this chapter, when they are not following Him, God’s anger burns against the leaders and the shepherds whose own credibility is questioned. As it then pertains to us today, our leaders can either the leading us to pray for the rains or to drown us in lies.
Drowning in Lies:
Though the warning against lying shepherds comes in during the 2nd verse, I want to focus on it first because I want to end on a more positive, faith-filled verse.
Our passage first mentions the nonsense of household gods, aka idols. Idols that the previous generations turned to for rains and provisions rather than looking to the God who truly provides. Though we may not necessarily have gods on our mantels, but we may live in pursuit of other ideas. Look no further than the present pot-stirring of the leaked info from the Supreme Court. Christians, whether pro-life or pro-choice, have more quickly taken sides about what might become true rather than what is true. We may be allowing a policy decision from a nation to control us more than our pursuits of the Kingdom.
Now, I get that this policy decision impacts many lives. Some will celebrate, and others will feel threatened by it. Somehow, we are to live with fidelity for both sides, upholding a truth that all life matters but also following the posture of Jesus who bends low to the brokenness of the world. Shepherds right now don’t need answers, but they need to care greatly for all sides.
Compassionate leaders are needed all the more these days as we have those who see lies, tell false dreams, and give empty consolation. There is no shortage of voices today. In one way, that’s great because we can hear the diverse range of perspectives and truth that comes from God above all, but at the same time, our range of understanding is so limited. Often, we limit ourselves as well to those we agree with and don’t truly listen to other perspectives anyways. Then we listen to pastors, politicians, or celebrities that perpetuate lies and falsehoods that pull us away from the Kingdom.
We can’t be those who give empty consolation, even if we find consolation in the same situation that others are discouraged by. The beautiful thing about hope in the Kingdom of God is that it does not change because of day-to-day events or moldable policies. That’s why shepherds need to lead people toward praying for rain.
Praying for Rains:
True leaders of God lead people to God. When restoration looks like a long shot, when the fields are running dry, when policies sound threatening to one group or another; a leader will guide people back to the God who sends the rains.
Rain is an amazing thing, sure, it can be destructive and result in flooding, but the spring rains bring life. Yes, it's raining a lot right now and can be really gloomy because of it, but the brightness of the grass and the rising of various flowers, make it all worth it, and soon the trees will be clothed in leaves.
Good leaders in divisive times do the same. As they point to God, they point to the common good of all. Common spring rains are the common grace of God and thus the common good for all of humanity.
When it came to the restoration of Judah it meant asking for the common good of the land, the rains which would refresh and renew the fields. Rains would bring unity even as those who returned would have different ideas of how to rebuild.
In these days where everyone has their own ideas of what’s best for America, and how to respond, Christians should seek the Kingdom by praying for the common good of others. Yes, we shouldn’t stop evangelizing but sometimes simply doing acts of love both individually and as a church can do a lot! Acts for the common good living out what Jesus says, “They will know you are my disciples by your love.”
Final Blessings:
As Zechariah looks to the restoration of Judah and asks for rains from the Lord to restore the fields. So we seek the mercies of the Lord in the face of many different lies and distractions. In doing so we also seek the Lord’s common mercies to this nation, to embody His love in acts of service to this nation.
Now may the Lord of Life and Redemption be with you in every step, every breath, and every heartbeat of your journey.
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