Jacob
2006-09-25 04:22:07 UTC
God said through the prophet Ezekiel that while the people were turning
away from Him into wickedness and oppressing others He was looking for
(at least) one man (or woman) who would stand in the gap and build up
the wall (Ez.22:29,30). But He could not find even one. Perhaps this
makes God sadder than the fact that many are turning into wickedness.
Why is it that it is difficult for Him to find people whom He can use
in this manner?
Isn't it because it would cost us something to be such people? It might
cost us some inconvenience and discomfort, when what we would like is a
comfortable and easy life. We may be so busy doing many things which we
like that we don't have much time to spend with God or for Him. We like
to make our own plans about how we want to serve God, and He wants us
to go another way. It might cause us pain when some people don't
understand us, and we don't like that. We may be hesitant to step out
in faith when we can't see the way ahead clearly, and we would rather
see and understand things first before moving forward. We may not be
very comfortable being alone, even though we know God is there, and we
would rather be where everybody else is.
Of course we would like the honour and name of being used by God, but
we don't like the hard times that come along with it. Is it any wonder
that God is not able to find many who will stand in the gap for Him?
Pious wishes and emotional consecrations are not substitutes for taking
up our cross daily, denying ourselves and following Jesus (Lk.9:23).
We would wish that when we have asked Jesus to come into our heart
everything should be nice and cosy afterwards. If at all anything that
looks like trouble comes our way, we think, all we need to do is to
shoot a prayer heavenwards and then it will be just a cakewalk! But the
hard grind of daily life tends to make us think, "Hey, this is not what
I expected!" That is when we slip out of the 'gap' and seek for a
little comfort.
Don't we need to become a little tough if we are to endure? Don't we
need to mentally prepare ourselves to work hard through the little
hardships that come our way? Paul's guidelines to Timothy included: 1.
Willingness to suffer hardhsip in life. 2. Not to get over-occupied
with the things of this life. 3. To have the express goal of pleasing
the Lord. 4. To live according to the laws of God. 5. To be prepared
for hard work. (2Ti.3-6).
Let us learn to be such people.
http://www.c-n-c.org
away from Him into wickedness and oppressing others He was looking for
(at least) one man (or woman) who would stand in the gap and build up
the wall (Ez.22:29,30). But He could not find even one. Perhaps this
makes God sadder than the fact that many are turning into wickedness.
Why is it that it is difficult for Him to find people whom He can use
in this manner?
Isn't it because it would cost us something to be such people? It might
cost us some inconvenience and discomfort, when what we would like is a
comfortable and easy life. We may be so busy doing many things which we
like that we don't have much time to spend with God or for Him. We like
to make our own plans about how we want to serve God, and He wants us
to go another way. It might cause us pain when some people don't
understand us, and we don't like that. We may be hesitant to step out
in faith when we can't see the way ahead clearly, and we would rather
see and understand things first before moving forward. We may not be
very comfortable being alone, even though we know God is there, and we
would rather be where everybody else is.
Of course we would like the honour and name of being used by God, but
we don't like the hard times that come along with it. Is it any wonder
that God is not able to find many who will stand in the gap for Him?
Pious wishes and emotional consecrations are not substitutes for taking
up our cross daily, denying ourselves and following Jesus (Lk.9:23).
We would wish that when we have asked Jesus to come into our heart
everything should be nice and cosy afterwards. If at all anything that
looks like trouble comes our way, we think, all we need to do is to
shoot a prayer heavenwards and then it will be just a cakewalk! But the
hard grind of daily life tends to make us think, "Hey, this is not what
I expected!" That is when we slip out of the 'gap' and seek for a
little comfort.
Don't we need to become a little tough if we are to endure? Don't we
need to mentally prepare ourselves to work hard through the little
hardships that come our way? Paul's guidelines to Timothy included: 1.
Willingness to suffer hardhsip in life. 2. Not to get over-occupied
with the things of this life. 3. To have the express goal of pleasing
the Lord. 4. To live according to the laws of God. 5. To be prepared
for hard work. (2Ti.3-6).
Let us learn to be such people.
http://www.c-n-c.org