Have you ever been driving on a freeway, and suddenly you realize a police car is right behind you? What do you do? You check your speed, hoping he doesn’t give you a ticket.

Well, when we have the fear of the Lord, we know He is always watching us. But we don’t have to worry, because we are always trying to honor Him.

Jerusalem had a sordid history of forgetting God’s ways, and speeding over His laws as if they did not matter. And finally God got angry, and poured out His punishment on their sin. But before He did, He looked for someone who could again warn them one more time.

“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30 NKJV

And what was their sin that brought everyone such destruction?

PRINCES– “Your princes plot conspiracies just as lions stalk their prey. They devour innocent people, seizing treasures and extorting wealth. They make many widows in the land.”

Ezekiel 22:25 NLT

PRIESTS– “Your priests have violated my instructions and defiled my holy things. They make no distinction between what is holy and what is not. And they do not teach my people the difference between what is ceremonially clean and unclean. They disregard my Sabbath days so that I am dishonored among them. Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money!” Ezekiel 22:26-27 NLT

PROPHETS– “And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, ‘My message is from the Sovereign Lord,’ when the Lord hasn’t spoken a single word to them.” Ezekiel 22:28 NLT

PEOPLE– “Even common people oppress the poor, rob the needy, and deprive foreigners of justice.” Ezekiel 22:29 NLT

GOD’S JUDGMENT- “And because you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You must bear the consequences of all your lewdness and prostitution.” Ezekiel 23:35 NLT

So this is why we preach the grace of Jesus. He took the judgment we deserve…so we could live. This is why we stand in the gap for others, and share our faith!