Read Ezekiel 22 – 24
Highlights:
Ezekiel’s mission: Denounce their terrible deeds in public (chap. 22). Who will save them (22:30)? Two sisters betray God, causing destruction (23:30,46-49). Who are they (23:4)? The Israelite’s complete corruption in a boiling pot. Judgment follows (24:1-14). Did you get the message when Ezekiel's wife died (24:20-24)?
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none (Ezek. 22:30).
Is this not a sad proclamation from the Lord? It would be hard for most of us to believe that there could not be at least one person found that was worthy enough to meet the Lord's qualifications. Surely, there was one that could have stepped into this place.
It is always possible that there was one that was qualified in most areas but just fell shy of meeting the standard. Maybe there was one that was qualified but was unwilling to undertake the task. For whatever reason, none could be found to fill this place.
Is it the same in our society today? Could it be possible that God is looking for someone to fill a role, and there is no one able...or willing? We would like to think that could not happen in our day and time. There are so many Christians in the world today; surely there would be someone to serve in the place that needed to be filled. After all, it is the place of the Christian to be in the Lord's service. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them (Luke 12:37).
Our churches normally have all the workers they need plus some. There are often more people to teach Sunday School than there are children to be taught. There are more people on the Visitation Team than there are people to visit. Hold on, that is what we wish were true. That's actually backwards. Most churches need more teachers, more people to visit others, more volunteers in general, more funds, and pretty much more of anything else that can help them meet the spiritual needs of the community.
This is just one example today of where people are needed to step into service for the Lord. There are countless more. Missionaries are needed to go to inner cities, rural communities, Indian reservations, jails, prisons, hospitals and foreign lands. People are needed to donate time at shelters, food banks, low income day care centers, senior centers and countless other places.
Some may say that they have nothing to offer at these places. That is not true. Anyone can offer a word of kindness to a down-trodden individual. If we can't go, we may be able to donate money, food or materials. If we are unable to do that, then we can pray. Almost any ministry out there will tell you that one of their greatest needs is for prayer warriors to intercede on their behalf to the Lord. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).
Therefore, let us pray and ask the Lord to lead us to a place that we can fill. It is true that there are many tasks at hand to accomplish. There is no human entity that has more serving or giving power than the Church. As individuals we can't do everything, but each of us can do something. If we honestly give ourselves over to God's service, then there will be enough Christians to fill every empty slot.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues (1 Cor. 12:28).
Thought for Today:
Remember God never tempts us to do evil, only Satan does that.
Christ Revealed:
In the denunciation of Israel's false prophets (Ezek. 22:25-28). Compare these words with those Christ spoke against the scribes and Pharisees. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23:13-36).
Word Study:
22:7 set light by father and mother, treated parents with contempt; dealt by oppression with the stranger, treated foreigners with oppression and extortion; vexed the fatherless and the widow, wronged the orphan and the widow; 22:12 gifts, bribes; 23:16 doted upon, lusted for, was infatuated with; 23:20 doted upon their paramours, lusted after their male prostitutes; 24:17 tire, turban.
Prayer Suggestion: Call upon the Lord amidst trouble and He will deliver you (Ps. 91:15).
Optional Reading: Revelation 12
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 145:1