[Longer reading today.]

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. Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain. 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. The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice. “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. 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 22:26-31 NIV, 8-4-12)

If you read carefully, you can find condemnation for both of our political parties in this speech. Both are participating in actions that God views as wrong (which, of course, means they are wrong).

What should believers do in these situations? Try to identify the side that is less wrong, join that side, and defend them no matter what they do?

Nope. Stand in the gap proclaiming truth.

And the punishment if we don’t? Verse 31, starting with the word So.

[Father, give me the courage to stand in the gap proclaiming truth.]