EPISODE 841: Stand In The Gap!

4 Years Celebration 🎉 🔥🎁🔥🙌🏾🎈🔥🌎 Ezekiel 22:30 -31 “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.” Stand In The GAP In the ancient world of the Bible, cities had walls surrounding them to provide protection from enemies. When the wall was breached, the city was vulnerable to destruction; the only way to secure it was for people to risk their lives by literally standing in the gap in the wall and fighting the enemy. The absence of an intercessor for the people is sure to bring destruction and judgment for disobedience. God's appeal for someone to build the wall is an appeal for someone to partner in the protection of the people from the consequences of their destructive behavior. God has been telling Ezekiel for chapters about the evil things the Israelites have done and the punishment He is planning to mete out on them. And then this verse slides into the picture. To me this is one of the most important verses in the Bible.  Why?  Because it opens the door for intercessory prayer.  God is saying that He was looking for someone to step up and ask Him not to destroy Jerusalem………..but no one stepped up and destruction came.  How sad.  How unfortunate. God, via this verse, encourages me to “stand in the gap” for others.  Often the “others” I know about are godless.  They are family members.  I ask God to spare their lives and use Ezekiel 22:30 as the source of that request. Maybe you have family members in need of a relationship with God.  They are on the spiritual outside with no interest in God.  They would spend eternity apart from God if they were to die now.  Get Ezekiel 22:30 into your prayers.  Stand in the gap for them.  Ask God to spare their lives and also to open their hearts to Him.   “Lord, I thank You for Ezekiel 22:30.  I thank You that You are looking for folks to stand in the gap for the lost.  I take that step for my unsaved family members right now.  Spare them, Father.  They need to get their eternal destiny right before they leave this earth.  Please take care of them, Father, in Jesus Name.