Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Ezekiel 21-22

Today's reading (Ezekiel 21-22) isn't really "the feel good stuff" we all know and love.  God keeps letting His people in Jerusalem know that they are in trouble.  God goes so far as to compare them to the "dross of silver (Ezekiel 22:18)," which is the scum that shows up when you melt it. Yikes!    

The bottom line for God's people that we read again and again?  

These people have forgotten about God in all that they are doing.  And no matter how many times God repeats Himself trying to refocus His people, they continue to miss His point.  God's people are being judged for their sins.

And as much as I am ready to get through Ezekiel and all this bad news, I know it's leading up to God's good news.  There's so much we can learn during the hard times, then and now.

I can't help but see myself in some of the forgetfulness and remember how much I need my Savior.

It might seem weird and a bit random, but the "gap" is what sticks out to me today.

God says,


"I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap...but I found no one."

I started wondering...  Do we have a gap today?  

Certainly we don't have a gap in the same sense that a gap existed before Christ.  Jesus came to save us.  He died for our inequities for all time.  As both God and man, Jesus' life, death, and resurrection bridges the gap that exists between us and God.  We are made perfect in Him and nothing can separate us from God and His love.

But, I think there are still, and will always be, gaps in the world in which God calls us to "build up" His earthly Kingdom and stand before Him in places and people who need His healing, transforming love.

What do you think?  Any thoughts?  Are there any gaps that come to mind as you spend this time soaking in God's word today?

As God looks around, I sure hope and pray He will find us standing before Him, ready and willing to act in faith.

A prayer for today-


Dear God,

Thank You for speaking to us through Your Living Word and transforming our hearts and lives.  Thank You for Jesus who forever stands in the gap interceding for us and saving us from our sins.

Lord, I see so many directions I could go, and I get overwhelmed and weighed down by the needs around me.  I trust all my steps to You.  Direct me by Your strong and certain hands.

I pray, Lord, that You will unite me with other believers to recognize the gaps that exist in the world between the reality and Your perfect love.  Give us thankful hearts and guide us to use our resources to love one another, build one another up, and share the love of Christ in just the right places with those You need us to reach.

I know _______________ needs prayers today, Lord.  I ask that You fill in the gaps that exist for _______________ with Your love.  May _______________ stand firm in Christ.  

Help me to do all things for Your glory, forever and ever.

In Christ's name I pray,
Amen

Grace and peace,
*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.




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