Where Are The Men?
Today’s Reading – Ezekiel 22 – 23
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. (Ezekiel 22:30)
Today’s reading is much the same in context as the passages that we have already read in Ezekiel and in Jeremiah. The people of God have seriously abandoned the will of God; and have turned to other gods. They have forsaken the One who gave them their land, and all of their prosperity. God has already judged to no avail; but He promises that more judgment is coming because the people simply refuse to turn back to Him. The saddest verse in this passage is found in verse 30 of chapter 22. God sought for a man…and found none. God could not find one man who was willing to make a difference in Judah. He couldn’t find one that would stand in the gap, filling in the hedge, so that judgment could be spared. Where were the men who could have made a difference?
Where are the men today who are willing to make a difference for the Lord? Could God find a man today that would be willing to stand in the gap. R.A. Torrey recounts a story told regarding D.L. Moody:
Henry Varley, a very intimate friend of Mr. Moody in the earlier days of his work, loved to tell how he once said to him: “It remains to be seen what God will do with a man who gives himself up wholly to Him.” I am told that when Mr. Henry Varley said that, Mr. Moody said to himself: “Well, I will be that man.” And I, for my part, do not think “it remains to be seen” what God will do with a man who gives himself up wholly to Him. I think it has been seen already in D. L. Moody.
Where are the men today that are wholly devoted to God? Where are the men today who will sell out completely for the cause of Christ? Where are the men today that will make a difference? Could God spare America today because you (or I) are standing in the gap? God is looking for some men today who are willing to live for Him: to stand boldly in the midst of a wicked generation, that will stand for the Truth and shine the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Will you be that man?
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
God’s Calling
By Meredith King
Published: Fri, 01 May 2009
Chances are you, like millions of other teenagers, are wondering what to do with your life. Without a specific goal in mind you will wander aimlessly, not accomplishing anything with your life. This can be discouraging, especially if you’re among the number who don’t know what they want to do with their lives. The number one major of choice as a freshman in college is “undecided.” So you aren’t alone if you don’t know what to do with your life. As Christians we know we are supposed to do the will of God, but sometimes it feels like He just won’t reveal it to you.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
—Jeremiah 29:11
He does have a plan for your life. The Bible tells us we were predestined to be the children of God – called according to His purpose. So we ask ourselves, “What is my calling?”
Before Jesus ascended into heaven He told His disciples:
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”—Matthew 28:18-20
Our ultimate calling is to make disciples. Our purpose is to honor and glorify God because of our love for Him. We can do that in any time and in any place. Take what you have been given today and use it for good. Sometimes we get so caught up with the future that we forget we were created “for such a time as this.” You may not know where you’re supposed to be in five, ten or fifteen years. But are you where you’re supposed to be today? Prepare for your future in any way possible, but don’t forget that here and now, you can do God’s will.
Ask Him for answers – He wants you to know His plans for you. Continually search for where God wants you to be today, and tomorrow will take care of itself. (“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”—Matthew 6:33-34.) But when today’s troubles begin to overwhelm you, do not be discouraged. God is using your suffering to shape you for something bigger He has in mind.
Suffer with purpose, for it has cost you dearly, as Mark Driscoll said in one of his sermons. Your suffering will allow you to minister and teach, to go and to preach. Every experience you face, face it with Christ, so that He will be able to use and redeem everything in your life for His purpose. “AAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).