Standing in the gap

My reading today came from the book of Ezekiel. I don't know much about this book, and I'm not sure I've read very much of it, but this verse is perfect for us today.

In the passage God is talking to the people of Israel through Ezekiel and He isn't happy. Things have not been going well as the Israelites all decided to go their own ways, yet again forgetting God and all He had done for them. God had had enough. Every group of people, from the princes, priests, leaders and prophets, right down to the common people, had abused their position and helped bring disaster to the city. God only needed one righteous person - just one...

“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 22:30

No-one was to be found. Not one person willing to stand up and be counted - to stand in the gap for the whole city. And because of this, God sent His fury down on them. 

It made me think. A lot. So often we look around and see the chaos of the world around us - how nations are turning against nation, how the politics, even of our own wee country, are appalling and lacking in so many ways, and how laws which we don't agree with are being passed in front of our eyes. But what do we do about it? Are we standing in the gap for the town, country and world we live in?

I love this wee picture as I think it accurately describes how we can help each other. When I am over the precipice I need my sisters in the Lord to hold me up in prayer and help me through. I need them to stand in the gap (so to speak) and help me do what I can't do. And I am able to do the same for them, when they need it. 

Now I know that the Holy Spirit always intercedes for us, but I'm talking about standing up to be counted by those around us. It's amazing how many people will turn to us and ask us to pray when something happens in their lives - even if they are not usually interested in anything God has to say. We can stand up and stand in the gap for them. Bring their requests and their situations before the Lord. And of course bring them before God too. So many times God has used this very situation to speak into people's lives and bring them to Him.

So I guess my challenge today is to look around my life, see what is actually going on and bring people to God through my prayers, and letting Him know there is someone here, in this place, at this time, who follows Him and who is standing in the gap. 

DISCLAIMER:

I did mention at the start of the post that I am not all that familiar with Ezekiel and this is what I got out of reading chapter 22 today... if its totally wrong or you disagree, I apologise - read it for yourself and see what you think!