READING: Ezekiel 21-23
Judgment was at the door for the city of Jerusalem. Agony, suffering, grief, and heartache awaited the city, and the prophet Ezekiel was to mark that grief with his own symbolic actions.
At the same time, God had been looking for one person who would prayerfully “stand before me [God] in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it.” Sadly, though, God concluded, “but I found no one” (Ezek 22:30). This wasn’t, of course, the first time God sought followers whose presence would stay His judgment. Had He found ten righteous people in Sodom, He would not have destroyed that city — but there were not ten (Gen 18). In other cases, God brought judgment while also rescuing the few, as In the case of Noah (Gen 6-9). The point is that God has so orchestrated His plan that just a few followers—even one follower—can make a difference.
I’m reminded today of our missionaries who serve around the world, seriously outnumbered by the lost and standing as one of the few followers of Christ. They stand in the gap, and through them God can change cities. I also think about fellow believers who daily intercede for our nation, pleading with God to stay His judgment on us and bring revival to us.
Sometimes, just a few people accept the task of praying vigorously for others to follow God. That’s okay, though, since it takes only one person to stand in the gap. God forgive us if He finds no one to do so today.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you willing to stand in the gap for others today?
PRAYER: “God, use me to lead others to You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezekiel 24-26
Portions first published in 2015
