“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

Ezekiel is a dark chapter in the Bible and is difficult to work through, but since it is summertime let us start with Jimmy Buffett.  Please indulge me.  In one of his biggest hits Jimmy Buffet sings about who is to blame for something that went wrong in his life.  As the song begins Jimmy initially does not blame anyone.  As the song progresses Jimmy moves to thinking maybe he is to blame. Finally, he acknowledges that he is indeed to blame for what went wrong.

Now let us turn back to the nation of Israel in the book of Ezekiel.  During this time, Israel was a flourishing kingdom, in a land that provided many sources of wealth and advantages to her people.  But something was wrong. The people who had been united under the love and justice of God are now lost to “detestable practices” (v. 1) and “defiled by the idols” (v. 4). They have turned away from God, taking no responsibility for their actions.  The “prophets whitewash these deeds” and claim to speak for the Lord, “when the Lord has not spoken.” (v. 28).  As the kingdom falls, no one is thinking, “Heck, this might be our fault!”

The kingdom rejected the blessings of God, and with that rejection came great despair and dark times. But it is critical that we highlight what God was looking for.  He was not looking to punish people. Nor was he looking for a powerful priest, military commander, or influential politician to step up and lead. He was looking for “someone among them” to “stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land”. God was calling out for anyone who would stand up, act, and bring His people back to Him.  If you were part of this story God’s eyes would be on you!  

Think about the spaces you are a part of: your household, your community, or your church.  Think about how God is calling for action in these spaces, and what actions you can take. Sometimes we look around this fallen world and exclaim, “God! What are you going to do about it?” He did do something about it. He created you. He is calling you. His Spirit empowers you to act!  God wants to bring His goodness into the world. You are his conduit.

As you engage with the Scripture this week, focus on one specific thing that God is asking you to do.  Take an action not because you are looking for a reward, but because you know that by acting in the goodness of God, you bring his blessings into the spaces where you act.