PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Ezekiel 21-22
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I looked for someone among them who would stand before me in the gap… (Ezekiel 22:30)
God raised up Israel to be a blessing to the nations, but something goes wrong.
The people as a whole, especially the leaders, become corrupt and cruel (22:6-12,25-29).
God keeps looking for someone who will stand for God and good, be finds no one (22:30).
What Elijah calls God’s wrath is really God giving them what they want: life without God.
No God to interfere, to tell them what to do, to protect them from their choices.
They did it their way, “bringing down on their own heads all they have done” (22:31).
Yet though the people have given up on God, God has not given up on them.
He still waits for one to come – a faithful human – who deserves the crown.
“The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come.” (Ezekiel 21:27)
Jesus is the first human to fully reject the selfish way, and to choose God’s way.
Jesus reveals God’s kingdom – God’s ideal world – where love and faithfulness rule.
God does not want evil and ‘wrath’ unleashed, but if humans keep choosing it…
In Jesus we clearly see the choice: a life of love for God or others, or a life of self-love.
He stands in the gap for us, he wears the crown for us, will we stand with him?
PRAYER
Lord, you are still looking for people to stand in the gap with you, to build up this world with love. Help us to choose the way of love, not the way of ‘wrath’.
“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.” Moses stood in the gap when God was ready to start all over again and build a people on Moses’ clan – God was angry. Moses stood in the gap. In the case of this prophecy – no did and God carried through his punishment – but he left a remnant so the that true person-in-the-gap – Jesus – our saviour could come. Jesus was the the perfect person to bridge the gap for us as no one else could. I too must see that it is Jesus who saves – who through his gift of the HS can change people’s lives so that they bridge the gap – moving from condemnation to salvation! Help me to carry the message of the gap Bridger!
Once again the people have gone their own way doing what is right in their own eyes forgetting what the Lord has done for them. People forget the Lord but the Lord does not forget His own. Again and again the word of the Lord comes to His own. Yet the people do not listen but their evil ways will also come down upon themselves. It is only Jesus Who can save us. It is by Him we can live a life of service showing the love of God. Without Him we too are dead men.
1
We have heard the joyful sound:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land,
Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward!—’tis our Lord’s command;
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
2
Waft it on the rolling tide,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Tell to sinners far and wide,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Sing, ye islands of the sea,
Echo back, ye ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
3
Sing above the battle’s strife,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
By His death and endless life,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Sing it softly thru the gloom,
When the heart for mercy craves,
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
4
Give the winds a mighty voice,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Let the nations now rejoice.
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Shout salvation full and free,
Highest hills and deepest caves,
This our song of victory,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.