August 19: Help Me, I'm Falling!

Ezekiel chapters 19-21, 27:17-31

Ezekiel 22:17-31

New International Version (NIV)

17 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 18 “Son of man, the people of Israel have become dross to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver. 19 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because you have all become dross, I will gather you into Jerusalem. 20 As silver, copper, iron, lead and tin are gathered into a furnace to be melted with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and put you inside the city and melt you. 21 I will gather you and I will blow on you with my fiery wrath, and you will be melted inside her. 22 As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and you will know that I the Lord have poured out my wrath on you.’”
23 Again the word of the Lord came to me: 24 “Son of man, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has not been cleansed or rained on in the day of wrath.’ 25 There is a conspiracy of her princes[a] within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her. 26 Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. 27 Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain. 28 Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says’—when the Lord has not spoken.29 The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice.
30 “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. 31 So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Ezekiel 22:27-31

New Living Translation (NLT)

27 Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money! 28 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. 29 Even common people oppress the poor, rob the needy, and deprive foreigners of justice.

30 “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. 31 So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”

Who will stand in the gap? Who will say, "Here am I; Send me!"
"Dear Jesus, Your word is very clear. Your word has explained over and over in numerous ways exactly what is going on and exactly what will happen. And yet, people still don't believe. They think the true preachers of God's word are just telling cute, moving stories. Just like in Exekiel's day."

Ezekiel 20:45-49

The Message (MSG)

Nobody Will Put Out the Fire

45-46 God’s Message came to me: “Son of man, face south. Let the Message roll out against the south. Prophesy against the wilderness forest of the south.

47-48 “Tell the forest of the south, ‘Listen to the Message of God! God, the Master, says, I’ll set a fire in you that will burn up every tree, dead trees and live trees alike. Nobody will put out the fire. The whole country from south to north will be blackened by it. Everyone is going to see that I, God, started the fire and that it’s not going to be put out.’”

49 And I said, “O God, everyone is saying of me, ‘He just makes up stories.’”

"Please O God, help me to heed Your word. I want to be the one to answer, Yes! I will go! I will stand in the gap! Dear Lord, I will never forget the dream I had many years ago. There was a very tall, old apartment building on fire. I was pounding on all the doors begging the people to quickly grab their babies and get out! They just stood and looked at me blankly like they didn't understand. I awakened with a fresh desire to spread Your gospel to the poor, the opressed, and those who have lost all hope. I will go in Your name, Jesus. And by Your power! And with the knowledge that You shed Your precious blood for the poor, the opressed, and those who have lost all hope! AMEN." 

Help Me 

by Cortt Chavis

I'm the man on the street holding a sign

I know what it says but look in my eyes
I need more than money

I am the single mother of three
I know how it looks but please don't condemn me
I need you to reach me

Will you pray for me?
Will you speak to me?
Be moved by compassion for me?

(Chorus)
Help me, I'm falling
Does anybody hear me calling out?
I'm calling out for help

I'm in too deep 
To save myself
For I'd save myself for I need
Someone to help me

I'm the lawyer you met 
In the coffee shop
I know I seem fine
But really I'm not
My life is crashing

I'm the city you drive through
On your way to work
Can't you hear my streets crying?
Full of pain and hurt
Send me a preacher 

Will you reach to me?
Please preach to me
There's not much time

(Chorus)

Will you pray for me?
Intercede for me?

Reach down to me?
Be God's hand for me?

Preach it straight to me?
Show God's word to me?

Fight hell for me? 
Save my city streets?

We need a hero

(Chorus)

(Oh Oh Oh someone to help me)

Help me 
I'm falling 
Does anybody hear me calling out?
Oh Oh Oh

I'm calling out for help
Help

I'm in too deep
To save myself
For I'd
Save myself for I need

Someone to help me
Someone to pray for me
Someone to reach for me