Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 25-28, Jeremiah 39-42

“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.” – Ezekiel 22:30

There are many choices that people make in reaction to the sinful culture in which we live. Some are lured in by the promise of happiness and choose to join the party. Some plan to simply enjoy the pleasures of the world for just a short time; they ignorantly plan to have fun for a while and then submit to God later. Some mourn over the choices of the world and lock their doors, guarding themselves from the evil that is so prevalent in our society. But some are willing to be a voice for the Lord, just as Jeremiah and Ezekiel were.

THE LORD IS LOOKING FOR THOSE WHO WILL STAND IN THE GAP.

Are you available for God to use in this way? This is not an easy decision to make. To speak out against sin is now defined as hate. To define what is moral and what is not is now considered hate speech. To call out the behavior of a group of people is now thought to be prejudice and is equated with racism or abuse. To be conservative politically is now regarded as judgmental and uncompassionate.

In the next few chapters of Ezekiel, God reveals His judgment for those who have taken the blessings of God and corrupted their thinking. He speaks out against those who have disregarded His call to righteousness and chosen their own path.

“You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you.
Your rich commerce led you to violence, and you sinned…
Your heart was filled with pride because of your beauty.
Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor.” – Ezekiel 28:15-17

But for those like Jeremiah and Ezekiel who have stayed faithful to God and been willing to be a vessel of truth, God had this message: “I will do to this city everything I have threatened. I will send disaster, not prosperity. You will see its destruction, but I will rescue you from those you fear so much. Because you have trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Jeremiah 39:16b-18)

THE LORD WILL RESCUE THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM — THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD MORE THAN THE FEAR THE OPINION OF MAN.

Just as He promised, God rescued Jeremiah from his chains. The captain of the guard recognized that God was pouring out His judgment just as He said He would. He took Jeremiah’s chains off and let him go. He even offered to let Jeremiah come with him to Babylon so that he could see that the prophet was well taken care of. He was given his freedom to go wherever he wanted to go but he chose to stay in Judah and minister to those who had been left behind under the leadership of Gedaliah, whom the King of Babylon had named governor.

Jeremiah continued to be a voice for God, encouraging the people to obey God so that everything would turn out well for them. He gave them the Lord’s message that they would be protected if they stayed in Judah but destroyed if they chose to live in Egypt. They looked at what little was left in Judah and lusted after all the promises of happiness that could be found in Egypt. They walked away from all God had offered them in order to experience all the riches this world promised to give them.

DO NOT BE SURPRISED WHEN THOSE AROUND YOU WILL NOT LISTEN TO YOU.

Do not be shocked by their choice to indulge in the temporary pleasures of this world. God is calling us to continue to be the voice of truth in the midst of a sinful generation, while also being the voice of grace that offers salvation. We are not to celebrate the judgment of sinners but show them the love of Christ, continuing to invite them to follow after all God has to offer them. Show compassion to sinners without redefining morality; show love to those who are lost while also rescuing them from the lies of the enemy.

Father God, we ask you to place your love inside of us so that we can authentically love others the way that you love them. May our heart reflect the desire of your heart; may our eyes see those around us the way you see them. Give us a boldness to obediently step into each conversation you place before us and the courage to say what your Spirit gives us to save. Amen.

LET’S SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE — KINDLY YET UNAPOLOGETICALLY — WHILE WE STAND IN THE GAP FOR OUR COUNTRY.