“The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.” Zechariah 10:2 NIV
Advice – guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action. We have all sought advice at one point or another, but from whom we seek the advice is even more important. In the NKJV, the last sentence in this verse is translated this way: “They are in trouble because there is no shepherd.”
When we walk in the counsel of the wicked, it leads to destruction. But when we walk in the way of the Lord, we are planted like a tree by streams of water that will yield fruit. We do not wither and we will not wander aimlessly, for we are being led by the Great Shepherd.
The prophet shows the exiles the downfall in seeking advice from their idols, as their fathers had done. For their idols can only provide deceitful words, false dreams, and comfort that quickly vanishes. May we be encouraged to seek the influences of the Holy Spirit, from which all blessings flow.
Lock Your Wings 
So much truth in that. Without a shepherd, we are truly lost.
This stood out for me: ““I will strengthen Judah and save Israel; I will restore them because of my compassion. It will be as though I had never rejected them…..”
Zechariah 10:6 NLT
Sixteen months into this pandemic, we long for things to go back to what it used to be. We look forward to a day when we can go out without masks, resume our regular activities without restrictions, and travel. This verse made me think of that time. A time when we too will be strengthened because we will appreciate the things we miss. Our usual joy filled activities will be restored. One day we will be able to reflect on this season and say “remember when there was the pandemic…” Things will go back and the Israelites also experienced that return to what they once knew. What a great day that would have have been or them and will be for us.
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