“I Will Signal For Them

And Gather Them In”

Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.

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.

“My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the Lord Almighty will care for his flock, the people of Judah, and make them like a proud horse in battle.

From Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler.

Together they will be like warriors in battle trampling their enemy into the mud of the streets.

They will fight because the Lord is with them, and they will put the enemy horsemen to shame.

“I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.

The Ephraimites will become like warriors, and their hearts will be glad as with wine. Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the Lord.

I will signal for them and gather them in. Surely I will redeem them; they will be as numerous as before.

Zechariah 10:1-8

The practice of whistling shows up in the Bible. God is described as a shepherd whistling for His sheep. This image could be what the prophet had in mind when he described how God will one day whistle to bring a wandering and scattered people back to Himself.

Misleading voices and distracting noises still compete for our attention. Yet God has ways of signaling us, even without words. By events that can be alarming or encouraging, He reminds us of His guiding, protecting, and reassuring presence.

The call of God can always be heard.

Our Daily Bread – September 24, 2014