Strengthen the (spiritual) Walls

​Before you read this, note that this is not a political piece but a spiritual one and an invitation to God’s people to stand in the gap as we near election day.

​How do you approach politics and the upcoming elections? Some people adamantly voice their opinions, others are silent on matters and still others don’t even plan to go to the polls, feeling that their vote doesn’t matter...

​And yet, if you ask people on the street, most will tell you that our nation is in trouble. We are on a slippery slope and this election could make or break America. 
 
A scripture stood out to me today as I read the book of Ezekiel. He was a priest who lived in a time when the people of Israel were soon to be exiled to a foreign land. They had sinned against the Lord, taken up idol worship and instead of listening to God’s prophets, they embraced the false prophets who were speaking of their own accord and leading the nation astray.
 
God spoke through Ezekiel, giving him words and visions to share with the people in hopes they would leave their wicked ways and return to the Lord. You may be familiar with the biblical accounts of the visions God gave Ezekiel, such as the glorious “wheel within a wheel” or the valley of dry bones that God told Ezekiel to prophesy over.
 
What I read today can inspire or convict Christian believers in the U.S. as the election draws near. God spoke to Ezekiel about his grief surrounding the false prophets. 
 
“They have done nothing to strengthen the breaks in the walls around the nation. They have not helped it to stand firm in battle on the day of the Lord” (Ezekiel 13:5 NLT).
 
Another version reads: “You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord” (Ezekiel 13:5 NIV).
 
There were breaks in the wall surrounding the nation of Israel—gaps and holes where the enemy could easily slip through. Areas that were weak and crumbling... And yet, they had done nothing. 
 
It seems they lacked a bigger vision of what was needed, of what could be done in a time of distress, in a day of dismay for the nation. 
 
Strengthen the walls, repair the breaches. Fill in the gaps, build up what’s weak.
 
It’s a good word for us, a powerful reminder to God’s people as our nation’s election draws near. We may be dismayed by what we see happening in our country. We may feel all is lost and that it’s hopeless to believe that America can be the great nation we hope it to be.
 
However, as God’s people, we have a job to do, a role to step into. Pray for our nation. Be prepared to vote and vote wisely. Believe in the bigger picture of what can be and know that your prayers, your actions, and your vote matter. 
 
Strengthen the (spiritual) walls.