Protecting our Relationship With God
Back in the days of Ezekiel, Judah was in a bad state. The nation was thoroughly corrupted. The nation’s leadership, and the people in general, were dishonest and filled with greed and self-interest. The priesthood had also failed. The prophets were claiming peace when God was bringing war. They were predicting victory, when God had determined defeat. They were crying prosperity, when God was about to take away their possessions.
Scripture: “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” – Ezekiel 22:30
Observation/Application:
Back in the days of Ezekiel, failing leadership and spiritual leadership caused major problem in Judah. With false prophets holding out false hope, the people saw no need to repent. This lack of true spiritual guidance led to morale decay, resulting in pornography, adultery, fornication, incest, and just all around corruption. And with the foundation of the church destroyed, the nation failed.
We see this same pattern over and over throughout history. Times may change, but principles don’t. The same principles apply each time. Seek God and you will be blessed – forsake God and you will be destroyed. Man is the same today as he was back then… a sinner who is lost without God. Our nation today is a lot like in the days of Ezekiel, we see corruption in our government, corruption in business, even corruption in some of our churches. The devil got a new bumper-sticker, “Sin Is In”. As in the days of Ezekiel, we are under attack and our walls of defense are being broken down.
But just like back then, God is looking for those today who will build back up walls of protection around our relationship with Him. God is seeking men and women who will walk in righteousness. God is looking for those who will seek Him first. God is looking for men and women who will stand firm in the Word of God. God is looking for people who will stand in the gap between where we are and where God wants us to be. Good thing God has not given up on us yet. Good thing God is always seeking people to serve Him.
Unfortunately in the days of Ezekiel, God “found none” who were willing and ready to build up the walls and stand in the gap. God was looking, but could not find intercessors. Let that not be the case today. Let it not be the case with us. We all have our excuses, you know what they are for you. Mine tend to be along the lines of, “I’m building a house”, or “I’m working my tail off the develop financial security for my family.” Whatever it is for each of us, let us not forget that the things of this life will soon enough be destroyed. And let us not forget that we can’t take any of it with us when we go.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word today. Let your Word fill us, renew us, strengthen us, encourage us, and bless us and the work of our hands. Help us to stand firm in your Word. Let us not be consumed with the flesh Lord. Help us to seek you first God, and to know Your divine calling and purpose for each of us. Fill us with your goodness, and let your Holy Spirit overflow in us. We thank you so much for all that you have done for us, all that you are doing right now, and all that you are going to do, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Image courtesy of: Pedro Nuno Caetano
Photo By Pedro Nuno Caetano
“But just like back then, God is looking for those today who will build back up walls of protection around our relationship with Him. God is seeking men and women who will walk in righteousness. God is looking for those who will seek Him first.” – Right on point! Love It!