Stand in the Gap

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 that I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. Ezekiel 22:30

The word painted in this verse is that of a wall with a hole or a gap in it. A wall was the best means of protection in the ancient times. A breach in the wall would let the enemy through. If there was a breach in the wall, defenders would have to swarm to that location and hold the break. The gap would need to be repaired as soon as possible because if left unattended or unpaired, the city would fall.

To understand why God needed someone to stand in the gap, we need to look at Ezekiel 22. The chapter summarizes the sins and abuses of the nation of Judah. God brings his charge upon his people from idol worship to shedding blood, misuse of power, rape, incest, corruption, bribing, false prophecy, and injustice. Does this sound like the world today? As a punishment for people’s sins, God says He will disperse them among the nation because he has looked for someone to stand in the gap but has found none hence will indeed destroy the His people.

How does this verse apply to us? We have to accept that as nations, we have wronged and sinned against God. We are guilty of the same sins God charged Judah with. There is a need to have someone stand in the gap for us. This verse tells us that God is seeking someone to intercede with him on behalf of his sinful people. The question now remains will he find no one like he did long ago? Are we willing to fill the gap for our families, friends, and nations?

We need courage to stand in the gap for those we love and care for. In the bible, we read about great men who stood in the gap for their people. Psalm 106:23 summarizes the sins of Israel in the wilderness. Moses had to intercede for them so that they would not be destroyed. Genesis 18 also records Abraham interceding for Sodom. In the New Testament, we find Stephen praying for those stoning him (Acts 7:60). Paul prayed for the salvation of Israel (Romans 10:1). The great master of standing in the gap, Jesus Christ, took the ultimate price for us, and stood in for our sins. When we deserved to die but he came and took away our sins. He is still interceding for us to the father through his blood. Timothy urges us to pray for others in (1 Timothy 2:1). In God’s wisdom and sovereignty has chosen to use the prayers of His people to accomplish His will. He still seeks those who will stand in the gap. Someone said, “if you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything.” People of God, I urge you to let us stand up and stand in the gap for others and the nations. Let us not fall for anything, for we know whom we stand with. May the Holy Spirit help us as we stand in for others.