God works through his people. And sometimes it simply takes one willing person to turn the tide.
In the days leading up to the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem, God was searching for that one person. God’s people had abandoned their faith. Abandoned their God.
Someone was needed to draw the people together and lead them back to God.
But no one could be found. Not one person could be identified who had the faith, the courage, the passion for God and the love for God’s people to stand in the gap of the wall. This “wall” was not a wall of stone, but a wall of people united as living stones to stand for God and resist Satan. No leader could be found to stand up to evil and stand strong for God.
The priests and spiritual leaders were to teach God’s people to rest in God’s promises and live according to his laws. The princes and officials were to protect the people and insure justice and peace in the land, pointing the people to God as their true King.
But not one could be found who was ready to do his work. Just the opposite, in fact. Instead of doing the Lord’s work, the princes devoured the citizens with conspiracies, blatantly looting the common people. And the priests violated the law and profaned the holy things entrusted to their care.
Sometimes it only takes one person to make a difference in God’s kingdom. One person to change the broken culture. One person to help a church to achieve its mission. One person to serve on a ministry team. One person to lead a growth group. One person to visit the sick, or the prisoner. One person to care for the widow, the orphan, the person stricken by need or poverty.
One person filled with the Spirit, standing in the gap, can make all the difference in the world.
“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, NIV).
Lord, you have been so kind to me. You “stood in the gap” through the cross, to reconcile the world to yourself. Make me willing to stand in the gap for you, and for your people. Fill me with your Spirit, and with the courage and willingness to serve you wherever I am needed.
Our Bible reading for Thursday, November 11, is Ezekiel 22:23 – 23:49, Hebrews 11:1-16 and Proverbs 27:15-22.
Header image based on "Gap" by Les Chatfield, CC By 2.0
pastorjeffgunn 
Our Bible reading for Thursday, November 11, is Ezekiel 22:23 – 23:49, Hebrews 11:1-16 and Proverbs 27:15-22.
Heavenly Father, your word inspires me and your people. From the parables of Jesus, the metaphors of the prophets it is all good. Lord help me to challenge and love my brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord be with me as I examine myself, my heart, my soul, my sin. Thank you for being with me and the promise of salvation for this sinner and the sins of the world.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17 NIV
“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.”
Proverbs 27:19 NIV
~Paul Montenieri
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