The empty vessel makes the loudest noise

A flock turn on their shepherd even after he has saved them from death

Zechariah 11.4-17

Reference: v.8b  The flock detested me, and I grew weary of them (NIV Bible)

Explore: These verses sound very familiar.  The Lord instructs someone to save a ‘flock’ that is heading for death.  The new shepherd takes over and saves the sheep but they end up detesting the shepherd regardless of what he has done for them.  Ring any bells?  It reminded me straight away of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt.  No sooner had Moses led them into the desert, they start identifying a new type of hardship and they detest Moses for what he has done to them (Exodus 14.10-12).
When you are in a leadership position, it can sometimes feel like this as well.  You feel you are giving everything you have, bending over backwards for everyone else and yet people still turn on you and remind you of the grandness of the past, when you were not around!

Application: In times like these we can often get so down-hearted that we just want to throw it all in.  The negativity of the ‘flock’ is so overwhelming that we can’t see all the positive progress we have made.  It is in times like this that we must shift our focus.  While the flock’s whinging may be ringing loudly in our ears, we must remind ourselves to focus instead on the Words of our Heavenly Father.  While the critic of the flock may cut deep, the only affirmation we need to strive for is the King of Kings looking down on us lovingly and saying: Well done, good and faithful servant.

Prayer: Lord, help me to see the purpose you have for my life so that when challenges come my way I can still remain focused on You. Amen.

Zechariah