“I Am The Good Shepherd II!”

“I Am The Good Shepherd II”(Zec. 10:1-4).
There is this story that is trending on social media about the drowning and eventual death of a Nigerian actor. (There is confusion as to whether he is truly dead or whether the death is a role play).
It is said that when he was rescued from the river, he was considered dead. So he was taken to the mortuary. It was the mortuary attendant who realised that he was still breathing.
The part that interests us for this meditation: When the mortuary attendant told those who brought him that he was still alive, instead of rushing him to the hospital, they rather rushed him back to the riverbank to perform certain rituals to appease the river god(s). This is Africa for us! Few weeks ago, during the funeral service of one of our Christians we told the bereaved that there was no reason to fear the weather because we had prayed for good weather. And it came to pass that for the whole day there was neither a mere drizzle of rain nor any scorching sunshine. Some people commented about it as if they doubted the power of prayers. We pray in faith with conviction and certainty, but we also know that God’s answer to our prayers is not always “Yes.” Sometimes his answer is a fat “No!” It may also be a “Yes, but wait.”
How is this important to today’s meditation? The prophet Zechariah said, “Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone.” The prophet was saying this to people who placed their hopes on Baal and other gods. Zechariah told them that, “The idols speak deceit, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain…” As a result, “the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.”
God’s anger burns against the shepherds and he is ready to punish the shepherds.
It is all about good shepherding! Africa is like a besieged continent, where bad leaders hold tight to power, encouraged by the gullible, insecure, and brainwashed masses who sing the praises of incompetent octogenarians – even begging them to stay in power! It is also a continent cursed with superstition where like in the days of Zechariah people depend on the lies of diviners, idols and false gods whose mouthpiece they were!
“In the face of this, the LORD Almighty says he will take care of his flock. To this end he will provide a Cornerstone – which he has already done in the fulfilling works of Christ.
Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ is the stone rejected by builders who go for lieing diviners. But this Jesus is the Cornerstone; a shepherd who has the interest of his flock in mind.
May all of us who call on the name of this Christ be shepherds in the manner of him who has called us. The future is bright because it is in God’s hands. But we his servants are the ones to ensure that bright future by being God’s mouthpiece, hands and feet; with hearts that radiat love, truth, justice and righteousness.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill us with Christ and push away the idols who only speak deceit. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.