"Face Me" (Jesus)

"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)

I will attempt to exegete our text without going into too much detail.  But you know as well as I that this is one of those passages which has been quoted ad infinitum, sort of like 2 Chronicles 7:14.  I confess guilty to never fully studying Ezekiel 22:30 as I did last night and this morning.  Please notice with me the wonderfully powerful, "Word of the Lord," to His People in our text.

Last night the phrase, "I sought for a man," left me with a sense that the People of God have not been responding to Jesus' Purposes in the Earth as we should (myself included).  He had to go on a search, "for a man."  Then I noticed that Jesus was/is looking, "for a man," literally, "to take one's stand,"  And where does Jesus want this, "man," to be?-- "in the gap."  But when you consider the Word for, "gap," you find that it is a, "bursting forth, a breach."  One dictionary defines, "breach," as "an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct" (anyone want to talk of irrelevancy?).  Breach is also defined as, "a gap in a wall, break, rupture, split, especially made by an attacking army."  Maybe you already knew this; I didn't.  But can you now see with me what an impact this Word is having?!? 

I also noticed that the Word for, "land," can also be translated, "earth," and to, "stand before me," can translate, "face Me."  Too much of Christendom has been like the pharisee, "stood and was praying... with himself."  Could our Lord be saying to His Church, "Stop praying with yourself.  Face Me."  I have been seeing this more and more since last night that the Living Triune God was saying to Ezekiel (and to you and me) that He is looking for a man to, "stand before Me," to, "face Me," on behalf of, yes, Israel, but also the nations of the Earth.  Now forget the egocentric talk and acting out of some who see themselves as the one and only person in the universe who will do this.  Maybe the, "man," is that, "one new man," spoken of in the Bible as the Church; no matter.  I know what the Lord Jesus has spoken to me so long ago.  Obedience is the definition of faith.

Hence, I am off to DC this afternoon, because the OSCE Hearing was moved up to tomorrow morning, but also to spend a full day and a half in DC, "standing before, facing" our King, Jesus Christ, not facing me, not facing you, not facing any political persuasion, "facing" Jesus.  Please pray with me to do that faithfully.  And, let us pray together for the Church to either start, or renew our position, "Face Me."

Father, in Jesus' name, I thank You so much for speaking to me "in the night seasons."  I pray for Your Church, the, "new man," to be obedient, faithful to, "face [You]," and only You.  Amen.

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* Will be in DC from later this afternoon until Friday afternoon.

* If you wish to attend my briefing on January 27, please let me know as soon as possible.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Whenever I Am Afraid, I...."

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You." (Psalm 56:3)

Had an interruption this morning, because the snow is really building here.  Ah, Johnstown.

Today's text stands alone as a verse.  Now the ones among us, who have to maintain the spiritual perception of others, would never admit to fear.  Good luck.  Quite honestly, a little more dose of fear would have probably kept me from jumping from a train in Romania many years ago.  Fear can be good.  It's what helps to preserve the Race.

But there is no doubt that David is speaking of the, "afraid," kind of fear.  And his conclusion? Sounds simple, but it is Eternally powerful, "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You."  Remember what our Lord Jesus said to the disciples when they saw Him coming to them, walking on the sea, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; be not afraid."  This is the, "God-Breathed," Word to His Church today, to you and me.

The list of those things which can cause fear is quite long.  The key to living victoriously in Jesus, however, is exactly that--- living in Jesus Christ.  Jesus, the One Who overcame death and the grave, the One Who defeated the Destroyer, is the One Who lives in you and me.  "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."  Remember what the messenger said to the shepherds "on a cold winter's night"?  "Fear not...."  Then he gave the reason for fearlessness for all time, "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord."

Father, in Jesus' Name, You say many times in the Scriptures, "Fear not," and you continually give me reasons not to fear:  You!  Amen.

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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"NEVER"!

"Cast ('fling, throw') your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain ('provide with sustenance') you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22)

I think that you and I need to take particular note today of the Word, "never," in our text.  And, never forget this, "never," of, "The Word of God," Jesus.

The word for, "moved," means, "totter, shake, slip."  The word for, "burden," can mean, "anxiety, cares."  It also seems to have something to do with "allotted portion," or, something which comes from the Lord Himself, "ministry, work," possibly "lot in life?"

Whatever the fullest meaning of our text, there is the promise here that when you and I give everything that has to do with us, indeed, our very being to our Lord Jesus Christ, there is the accompanying, "NEVER," and, "never," needs no further explanation; it just needs rejoicing in.  When you and I "climb on" Jesus, He becomes our Burden-Bearer, no matter the ,"burden," no matter the, "anxiety," no matter, as our Lord Jesus called it, "the cares of this life...."----------- NEVER!

Now, whatever you and I have for the rest of this day, indeed, for the rest of our lives, never forget today's text.  Jesus affirms the Reality in Matthew 11:28-32.  Do we understand today this wonderful "mystery?"  When Jesus comes to abide, live in us, all He is is in all we are, and because of this, "your burden," of life need never weigh us down. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I rejoice today in Your, "never."  Amen.

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* Will be praying Thursday, December 14, in the Supreme Court Building, the Capitol Building, The Helsinki Commission, and the White House.

* We have 10 people so far signed up for the briefing at the Lamplighter Resturant in Delmont, PA, January 27.  Will confirm details later.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2