Stand in the Gap

^{Ezekiel 22:30} “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.” (NIV)

This judgment from God was a message to Ezekiel to warn the
people of Israel because of their sins. At this time repentance was 

still possible to avoid the exile. God sought a way to grant 

forgiveness, but first the people had to see their sins and abandon 

them. He could not even find someone to pray for the nation, to 

“stand in the gap.”

We think God is waiting for us to commit some sin so he can mete 

out punishment, but that is not the way God works. He is seeking a 

way to forgive and bless us. When we find someone in need of prayer, we have an opportunity to “stand in the gap” for them and take their need to God. We also have an opportunity to reassure them and bless them with God’s promise.  

As the one who “stands in the gap” we are blessed both in seeking 

God’s blessing for others and in carrying his message to others. 

It’s not too late to begin this as a discipline for 2014.  Resolutions don’t have to begin on New Year’s Day.