Are we listening?

SCRIPTURE: Zech. 7:8-13; Zech. 8:16,17
⁸ And the word of the LORD came again to Zechariah: ⁹ “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. ¹⁰ Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.’

¹¹ “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears. ¹² They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the LORD Almighty was very angry.

¹³ “‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,’ says the LORD Almighty.

¹⁶ These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; ¹⁷ do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD.

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I was sad when I read these verses today. The ones from chapter 7 speak of the Lord's expectations of his people. They are words that indicate we are to treat each other with respect, kindness and justice. But the people disobeyed, and as a result, God turned his ear and his blessing away from them. In chapter 8, the Father again tells them to speak truth to one another, not to plot evil against others and not to swear falsely. These are good things that God wants us to do. This makes for wonderful living and a pleasant society where the Lord's blessing is experienced. But I see God's people (the Church) behaving with a lack of integrity just like the Israelites did long ago. I have personally seen leaders in my denomination lie (or "shade") the truth to the entire body of pastors that they are supposed to be serving. There has been deception, graft, greed, arrogance, lack of justice, on the part of denominational leaders as well as lack of submission, grumbling, and lack of integrity in those pastors whom they lead. Both are wrong. Does everyone do this? Of course not, thank God! But enough of it occurs that I am concerned that if repentance does not happen, we will lose much of the effectiveness and blessing God intends for us. I believe we have already suffered much because we do not follow Biblical principles with intensity of purpose as we ought to do. I know I need to fully commit myself to walk in his ways even if others don't. But I love my people, my denomination, and I so desire to see us marked by truth-telling. I believe the prophet's words are for us today. I believe they carry a warning that we need to heed. It applies to us as individuals and as a corporate body. I am afraid of what the Lord will do if we do not change our ways.

PRAYER: Father, I know you love the Church. I know the Church (all of it, not just our denomination) faces the same temptations of the flesh that your people Israel did. Please help us to listen to prophets today who warn us as your prophets did back then. Help us to listen to the written Word you gave us as a guide. Unfortunately, we marginalize those who aren't encouraging in every way. It is seen almost as a sin to be negative or to point out problems. I pray for a spirit of repentance to be upon us all. May we heed what you say. May our greatest desire be to obey you in all things instead of to succeed in the eyes of our peers. Oh, may we learn to speak the truth to one another in love! It is something that is so little done in the Body. I know I have sinned myself in this in the past. I have repented, but I am not above falling again. Keep my heart and conscience clear, Lord. Thank you for forgiving and cleansing me. Your grace is magnificent. May we all experience it in increasing measure. In Jesus' Name, Amen.