"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

 

With both what is happening in America today (especially in our police world) and last weekend's  Breaching the Barricade Law Enforcement Conference very much fresh in my mind, I'm pressed by the Holy Spirit to share both my heart and that of conference founder, Jim Bontrager. Let's dig in.

Noted evangelist Greg Laurie said, "Most Christians I know are nice, pleasant people. We want to get along with others. We don't want to offend anyone by saying that something is wrong, because it would be politically incorrect. A lot of times we are afraid to stand out." Rest assured, he was not saying this is the way we should be acting.

 

What Greg described here is also what my friend Lt. Col. Dave Grossman calls a "sheep" in his famous essay, On Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs (the link to which I include in the opening line of this and every newsletter). Greg went on to contrast the "sheep" with what Col. Grossman, Jim and I all describe as a "sheepdog" -- one of God's servant-warriors -- the "man among them" that the Lord refers to here in our signature passage. Likewise, we find in Isaiah another "sheepdog" who was willing to "stand in the gap" when God asked him, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah's bold, Holy Spirit-inspired response?  "Here am I, send me." Is that YOU today?  

 

With this in mind, what is God teaching us here in Ezekiel and related passages? What does it mean to "stand in the gap"? To "breach the barricade" for Christ and His people? Cities in ancient times were typically surrounded by walls of stone or earth. In order to conquer such cities, invading forces would seek to create a gap or a breach in the walls that they could exploit. The only way to prevent an enemy from prevailing was for a single warrior to risk his life and literally stand in the narrow breach and valiantly defend it against overwhelming odds. That said, the meaning God has for us here is not about a physical wall but rather a metaphorical and spiritual one: to "stand in the gap" means to intercede in prayer and action on behalf of others (see Psalm 106:23 and Ezekiel 13:5). 

 

Just as America today has wickedly turned its back on God, Israel in Ezekiel's time was far from Him as well: their leaders were abusing their God-given authority and the people had wickedly turned away from the Lord in favor of immorality and idolatry. In response, God looked for someone -- anyone -- who was willing to stand in the gap (the breach) to both build up spiritual walls of protection and tear down (breach) walls (strongholds) of the enemy (II Cor. 10:4-5). Tragically, He found no one, and righteous judgment followed.

 

Today, God is still looking for people to be spiritual warriors willing to stand in the gap for the lost and for our nation; for those who will boldly demonstrate to family, friends and colleagues what it looks like to radically follow hard after Him. Then as now, God desires men and women willing to boldly intercede in prayer and action to lead others into a life-saving/life-changing personal relationship with Him. 

 

Where did sheepdogs like Isaiah, David, Nehemiah, Daniel and Caleb get their boldness and strength of will? The context of Scripture is clear: they ALL recognized that God was with them. Likewise, Jesus tells believers in  Hebrews 13:5, " I will never leave you nor forsake you." The message for us as Christians (God's definition) is that we're never alone and that we can be a conquering "army of one" because God is with us and will empower us to both " stand in the gap" and breach mighty  barricades against overwhelming odds when we respond obediently under the power of the Holy Spirit to His Word and in accordance with His will.  

 

So here again is the question: As God looks for someone to build up the wall and stand before Him in the gap (defenses) today, who will He find? Are YOU willing to step out boldly in faith to breach barricades?  Are you "a man among them"? Are YOU willing to courageously say, "here am I, send me" and then "stand in the gap" against the wickedness of this age? To "build up the wall" not only in the communities we serve and protect but also for our marriages, families, agencies, churches and our fallen nation? To obediently provide life-saving "backup" of the eternal kind for the lost? Are you willing to get off the sidelines, strap on your armor, pick up your weapon and be radical instruments of change behind Christ our Captain who both stood in the gap and tore down the enemy's stronghold by going to the cross and praying to the Father on our behalf?  Or are you just prepared to do nothing and accept the consequences that are sure to come?  

More questions?  Need prayer? Please   reach out ! 

MC