This message is usually sent on Thursday. But as Jeremiah said, “His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back and I could not” (Jer. 20:9b). I have not written this carelessly but PRAYERFULLY.  And though I may not get much, if any, response, I ask you to please read it thoughtfully. I trust it will speak to your heart regarding our great responsibility as God’s people. 

It never ceases to amaze me that there is nothing we see happening today that isn’t pictured and addressed in the Word of God, the Holy Bible—NOTHING!  As I write this, our federal government is literally shut down because of political division and disunity! Unlike previous shutdowns, government employees this time are being threatened with termination solely because their jobs are not considered to be in alignment with the chief executive’s priorities. Now consider Zechariah Chapter 11.

“This illustrates how I will give this nation a shepherd who will not care for those who are dying, nor look after the young, nor heal the injured, nor feed the healthy. Instead, this shepherd will eat the meat of the fattest sheep and tear off their hooves” (Zechariah 11:16 NLT).

Favor and Union or Chaos and Division?

God instructs Zechariah to play two very different roles in Zechariah Chapter 11: a good shepherd and an evil, wicked, worthless shepherd. As the good shepherd, he carries two shepherd’s staffs, one named “Favor,” representing grace, goodness, and compassionate mercy. The other is called “Union” or “Bond,” symbolizing unity among the people and gracious fellowship with their shepherd. Ultimately, this shepherd is a reflection of the One who is the Good Shepherd, Jesus, the Christ.

The people carelessly reject the Good Shepherd. So, Zechariah is told to play the role of a worthless, wicked, and foolish shepherd who neglects the needs of the people and exploits them for selfish gain. (H-m-m-m?) This worthless shepherd is met with God’s judgment and wrath in the final verse of Chapter 11. But sadly, the people were also dispersed among nations for continuing to reject the Good Shepherd.

Now this, of course, is about God’s people’s rejection of Jesus. But could it also be a picture of what is happening today in our great nation? Have we as a nation rejected the Jesus who said, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives…to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18 NKJV)? Have we become so divided, violent, angry, and distrustful of each other, even within the “Christian” community, that God has given us the kind of shepherd our rejection of His “Favor” (grace) and “Union” (unity) deserves?

Oh, but there is also good news. We still have hope! It is a promise in the Word of God from the heart of God! “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV).

Focus Quote: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”                    

                                                  –John 10:11 (NKJV)

Speaking of promises, please click the link below to see how to obtain a copy of my book, Standing on the Promises: Defeating Fear and Breaking Barriers. 

I am also humbled and blessed by the number of people who have reached out to me to say how surprised and blessed they were when they actually READ my book! THANK YOU!!!

 altonesumner.com – an inspiring motivational ministry.

Please continue to join us at 5:14 p.m. each day as we pause to pray.  Just pause and pray wherever you are. There is no call line or Zoom link that you need to remember or retrieve and connect to. Just connect to God and pray! I will also join you in prayer. There is power in agreement!