September 23, 2020

“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”       Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV)

God looks for the intercessor.  When the Israelites made the golden calf, Moses interceded on behalf of God’s chosen people (Ex 32).  And again when the Israelites refused to enter Canaan, both Moses and Aaron, fell in prayer before the Lord (Numbers 14).  David, Solomon, Nehemiah: all acted as intermediaries for God’s people, standing in the gap through prayer, confessing the sins of the people and seeking the Lord’s mercy.  They sought wisdom and spoke God’s truth to bring encouragement and direction to the people.  And the Lord used them to restore His people and bring prosperity and healing to the nation.

I believe the Lord is looking for intercessors today.  Why?  Because one of His great promises to us is being ignored by His people in this country.  The promise?

“. . .if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Tell me, do you believe God’s Word is true?  Do you believe God is the same now as then: that He does not change?  Do you believe God is mighty in power and faithful to do what He said He would do (consider the Cross as you think about this question)?  Brothers and Sisters, the fact that the answer to all these questions is an emphatic, “Yes!”, means the problem with receiving this promise of the Lord must lie with us.  And directly or indirectly it is my problem. . .and yours.

What does the promise require?  The promise calls us to humility and repentance; the acknowledgement of our sins as we turn back to the Lord.  The Lord promises to forgive and restore if this is done.  There is one other item: “If my people”.  I have to believe the Lord is looking for a number of His people.  How many?  Only the Lord knows.  However, given the events occurring in our nation, I don’t believe we are there yet.  And that is why the problem is ours.  After all, we are called to be our Brother’s ( and Sister’s) keeper.

Will you intercede on their behalf?  Will you stand in the gap for God’s people as did God’s warriors of old?  Will you confess your sins and the sins of a prideful, stiff-necked people (us) that are caught up in the world with little or no time for our God?  With love for your family, will you plead with your Father and the Holy Spirit to show mercy by bringing conviction on your Brothers and Sisters in Christ; conviction that leads to repentance?

“So I sought for a man among them. . .”  Brother.  Sister.  Will you humble yourself before the Lord today and stand in the gap for all of us?