Standing in the gap
Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money! And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, ‘My message is from the Sovereign Lord,’ when the Lord hasn’t spoken a single word to them. Even common people oppress the poor, rob the needy, and deprive foreigners of justice. “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:27-30
From the text, God told the people through Ezekiel how disappointed He was because of their disobedience and wicked living. They were corrupt and dishonest in their treatment of others. God sought the one who is willing to stand in the gap so that a wall of protection could be built around the city because of its impending destruction. God is looking for a person who is willing to make a difference through godly influence. Probably you might be thinking that with the enormous problem the society is facing right now, how one individual can make a positive impact. However, history is replete with examples with individuals that stood up for their biblical principles and made a difference because they let their lives influence others. Daniel provided a good example of what one individual could do when they are willing to stand up for their faith. His life made an impact to King Darius, a pagan king and later on made this declaration; “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions” (Daniel 6:26-27). Daniel could have given up and went along with what King Darius ordered people do by not praying to their gods. But it was reported to the king that Daniel went ahead to pray to God thus defying the king’s order. A follower of God who is not willing to compromise their conviction could be used by God to influence others. When Jesus talked about the coming judgment, He told the hearers that He will know who are His by the way they lived the life He gave them when they made Him the Lord of their lives. “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Matthew 25:40). Wherever you are, God called you to be there so you could stand in the gap influencing others so that they too will realize who God is and respond to the life He offers.
Blessings.
