“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.“ 
Ezekiel 22:30

A gap indicates a disconnect, a break in continuity, a breach that separates. There is a gap that is cavernous, treacherous, and threatening—the one that exists between us and God. It is the ultimate gap. A person may sense its presence but not its danger.

Yes, Jesus closed that gap, allowing us to become God’s children, but many are unaware of that miraculous bridge. They’ve not yet crossed it and felt God’s embrace. They remain in the gap, alone, and God searches for people who will stand in it with them, for them. He looked for gap-fillers in Ezekiel’s day, and He looks for them today. This excerpt clarifies what God wants:

In the ancient world of the Bible, cities had walls surrounding them to provide protection from enemies. When the wall was breached, the city was vulnerable to destruction; the only way to secure it was for people to risk their lives by literally standing in the gap in the wall and fighting the enemy. (https://worldrelief.org/standing-in-the-gap/)

Our friends and family, our nation and world, need us to stand in the broken places and fight for them in prayer. Will you stand in the gap for their protection, reconciliation, or return to God? When He looks at the world today, may God find us armed and unafraid, resolutely standing in the gap.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 40:2

It’s fun to stand on the sand in shallow ocean water, feeling the waves shift our stance. We plant our feet in the wet sand and resist the tide’s challenge. But when menacing weather or rising waters threaten, we look for solid rock. We don’t allow ourselves to be helplessly pulled into the mire, but find firm ground.

Too often we’re not aware of our precarious footing until our balance is threatened and we suddenly scramble for the safety of solid rock. Whether the threat is self-imposed, or from a flash storm, or mutely poses danger, we need to find safety if we want to stay on our feet. We may grapple, slipping and sliding in our climb to firm ground, but when we cry to God He rescues us, setting us safely on rock.

Look down at your feet. Where are you standing? Don’t wait for danger… find secure footing now. Step out of emotion and onto truth. Feelings are fickle, truth is secure. Stand on the rock that is Jesus and be safe.

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house;
yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:25

“…Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you…
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow,
and the Lord will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17

These words were spoken when Israel was fully surrounded by multiple armies who came to seize their inheritance. A prophet gave the people this instruction:

• Take up your positions
• Stand firm
• See the Lord’s deliverance
• Do not be afraid
• Do not be discouraged
• Face them

If you are God’s child, you have an enemy who wants to take what God has given you—life, hope, joy, peace, purpose, mission, fulfilment, confidence—more gifts than I can list. In short, God has blessed us with everything we need for a rich, full life to bless Him and others, so protect what’s yours and heed the prophet’s words.

Take up your position—clad in the armor God provides. Stand firm—don’t waver. Watch—the Lord is your Deliverer. Don’t be afraid or discouraged—your enemy is a liar. Face him—don’t back down!

Stand, #3

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today…
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14

With a river blocking the way before them and an army advancing behind them, the Israelites were terrified. Maybe you’ve been there—unable to see your way forward but not able to go back. If so, you can identify with the Israelites’ fear. Moses’ answer seemed unreasonable:

• Do not be afraid.
• Stand firm.
• See the deliverance of the Lord.
• God will fight for you.
• Stand still.

Yes, this is humanly impossible when all we see is the threat, but when we lift our eyes above the circumstances and focus on God we are able to put fear in its place, stand firm, be still, and await God’s deliverance because He fights for us. He is no different today than when He opened the sea to rescue Israel and drowned their enemy.

Stand still, confident in God. You may have to walk through mud, but expect Him to part the waters and make a way.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, 
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 
Jeremiah 29:11