“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30 KJV
If God were looking today, for one to stand in the gap, would He find you?
Being a "gap stander" is a daunting task. Believing for someone when they can't or won't believe; when everyone and everything around you says it's futile; trusting in Him, keeping your eyes on Him instead of looking at the natural is impossible in our flesh! It takes casting down arguments and vain imaginations and taking thoughts captive, because the enemy is relentless in his attacks to distract you from your assignment. And do not be mistaken, assuming the role of "gap stander" is a weighty assignment whose reward may never be realized in this life. Mothers and grandmothers are often burdened with this task. Even after death, their prayers resounding throughout time and space, until answered by a faithful Father; praying their offspring back from the world.
Watching a loved one go through the fiery furnace of purification is so difficult! Allowing the burning off of the rebellious dross and seeing the pain as it occurs, when everything inside us wants to rescue them, requires trust and obedience in God. Our faith in His Word vital to our success! Our steadfastness often anchored in the proof of our very rescue by Him from the very same darkness!
“And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver. Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you. Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst thereof. As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the Lord have poured out my fury upon you.”
Ezekiel 22:17-22 KJV
“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”
Malachi 3:3 KJV
You would think that the task of "gap standing" would fall on broad shouldered giants of faith; respected by men; accredited, licensed and eloquent! Not necessarily so! For God has always used the weak to confound the wise. And those in lofty positions fall the furthest!
Standing in the gap for someone else until they turn and can stand alone is a win win situation, in the long run, for the "gap stander" is refined at the same time! Time spent in intercessory communion with God has eternal benefits for all parties!
We are all called to be "gap standers", though very few will accept the challenge! Stop looking at the circumstances and start believing!
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
Mark 9:23 KJV
“Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:8b KJV
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 3/23/16
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