As believers in Jesus we are told to pray for those in authority over us, whilst they that govern should do so diligently, for government has been established to protect and lead the nation for the benefit of all the citizens.
This is true of the church. God expects His leaders, pastors and teachers to work diligently, upholding His truth within the church and to the wider community as has been our national heritage until now.
Why have we seen a general downward trend in attitudes towards each other; respect for those in authority and a seeking after self interests rather than the general good? I believe that a lot of the blame lies at the churches door. The church hasn’t been there with the answers for the nation. So much so we are in danger of being marginalised or worse forsaken.
In Ezekiel Chapter 22, we read how God condemns the leaders of Israel in Jerusalem of social injustice and idol worship. The leaders had forgotten Him. Isn’t this true of our nation’s leaders? Like Jerusalem, our leaders include the clergy. Verse 26 of chapter 22 states, “Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy [truth] and the common [man’s thinking]”. Church leaders have embraced the thinking of the day rather than upholding God’s timeless Word.
It is never too late to call on the Lord to forgive us for forsaking Him and His Word, the Bible. We can do this as individuals, churches, communities and government. ‘For God is slow to anger and abounding in love and mercy’.
The end of Ezekiel, Chapter 22, and verse 30 [the Sovereign Lord says] “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land ……”
For Israel there was none. But I believe there are thousands just waiting to call on the Lord for wisdom to apply His timeless truth in their own lives and for the wider good. Our church seeks to serve God and others and to teach God's truth as shown in the bible. Can I encourage you in this also?
LF
