"I LOOKED FOR A MAN TO STAND IN THE GAP" by Harvey Porter
Ezekiel was not a popular prophet. He never sought to be. He was like Jeremiah, a bearer of bad news to Judah and especially to Jerusalem.
The people of God had sinned grievously. They had turned away from God and the Law and turned to their own ways. The land was filled with rebellion and sin. God had warned Judah what would happen if they did not return to Him. He had foretold that they would be taken into captivity in Babylon. They should have listened, for their brethren to the north, Israel, the ten tribes, had already been taken into Assyrian captivity for their sin.
In Chapter 22 of his book of prophecy, Ezekiel portrayed a dramatic scene. He spoke of the impending doom of Jerusalem, but said that it might be averted if just a few would be faithful and stand with God. Here are his great words: "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 so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none" (Ezekiel 22:30 NIV).
What language! Just one to "stand in the gap!" To plug the leak. To fill the hole and spare the land. This would be the man or woman of the hour-the one most needed for the right moment. Life has always been that way.
There come times in our lives that demand precise action for that very moment. Much of the human family never realizes this truth. We delay, put off, procrastinate. We feel that everything is going along as it always has. It takes real wisdom to recognize what is really worthwhile and what demands first place-priority.
The church of our Lord is as the people of Judah in the time of Ezekiel. There is much to be done. A world needs to be taught the saving gospel. The need to stand in and be counted upon is personal in nature. Every congregation has many needs that must be served. For example, when you do not show up to [serve] at worship, or sit in the nursery, or teach a class, and on and on goes the list, the work suffers. Often the gap is not filled. Sometimes someone else has to fill the gap unprepared.
The business world will not put up with this kind of service. The truth is that the Lord does not put up with it either. He wants dependable servants. He wants us to be on time, to serve with diligence and enthusiasm. It ought to be counted a privilege to serve the Lord in any capacity. It should never be taken lightly. Our Lord said, "I must be about my Father's business." We must too. We never retire from the Lord's work. There is always a need for one to "stand in the gap." You are needed no matter if you are young or old, busy or not, talented or less talented, rich or poor, educated or uneducated, working or retired.
Everyone who is a devoted Christian can find something to do, encouragement to give, worship to enjoy, sacrifices to make and the Lord to love. Remember, the Lord still needs us "to stand in the gap." In Ezekiel's time He said, "but I found none." Will it be true of our time?
Ezekiel was not a popular prophet. He never sought to be. He was like Jeremiah, a bearer of bad news to Judah and especially to Jerusalem.
The people of God had sinned grievously. They had turned away from God and the Law and turned to their own ways. The land was filled with rebellion and sin. God had warned Judah what would happen if they did not return to Him. He had foretold that they would be taken into captivity in Babylon. They should have listened, for their brethren to the north, Israel, the ten tribes, had already been taken into Assyrian captivity for their sin.
In Chapter 22 of his book of prophecy, Ezekiel portrayed a dramatic scene. He spoke of the impending doom of Jerusalem, but said that it might be averted if just a few would be faithful and stand with God. Here are his great words: "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 so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none" (Ezekiel 22:30 NIV).
What language! Just one to "stand in the gap!" To plug the leak. To fill the hole and spare the land. This would be the man or woman of the hour-the one most needed for the right moment. Life has always been that way.
There come times in our lives that demand precise action for that very moment. Much of the human family never realizes this truth. We delay, put off, procrastinate. We feel that everything is going along as it always has. It takes real wisdom to recognize what is really worthwhile and what demands first place-priority.
The church of our Lord is as the people of Judah in the time of Ezekiel. There is much to be done. A world needs to be taught the saving gospel. The need to stand in and be counted upon is personal in nature. Every congregation has many needs that must be served. For example, when you do not show up to [serve] at worship, or sit in the nursery, or teach a class, and on and on goes the list, the work suffers. Often the gap is not filled. Sometimes someone else has to fill the gap unprepared.
The business world will not put up with this kind of service. The truth is that the Lord does not put up with it either. He wants dependable servants. He wants us to be on time, to serve with diligence and enthusiasm. It ought to be counted a privilege to serve the Lord in any capacity. It should never be taken lightly. Our Lord said, "I must be about my Father's business." We must too. We never retire from the Lord's work. There is always a need for one to "stand in the gap." You are needed no matter if you are young or old, busy or not, talented or less talented, rich or poor, educated or uneducated, working or retired.
Everyone who is a devoted Christian can find something to do, encouragement to give, worship to enjoy, sacrifices to make and the Lord to love. Remember, the Lord still needs us "to stand in the gap." In Ezekiel's time He said, "but I found none." Will it be true of our time?
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