FW: Standing in the Gap

This was forwarded to me & I felt it was worth passing on

We all have someone in our lives who we need to Stand in the Gap for,

the question is are you willing to do so?

Time may seem to be standing still & nothing seems to be moving the slightest bit forward, are you ready to give up due to what you see in the natural around you or are you willing to continue Standing in the Gap for the salvation of loved ones, for restorations of families, for protection of children? Are you willing to answer the call to Stand in the Gap? I pray that this message will touch your heart to consider just what it means to take up the stand.

Love Your Sister in Christ

Today's Prayer
January 18, 2007
Dear Lord, I offer myself to you as an open vessel. Please work in my life and accomplish Your will through me. Every little thing and every great thing that is accomplished, I praise You for it and give You all the glory. Thank You for blessing my life with Your power and presence. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Standing in the Gap
TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman

I looked for a man 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 none. - Ezekiel 22:30

The people of Israel fell into sin when they worshiped the golden calf. It would not be the last time God's people would fall into idol worship. They had forgotten the great things God had done for them. This angered God so much that He was going to destroy the whole nation. Only one thing changed God's mind in the matter-Moses. Psalm 106:23 says, "...had not Moses, His chosen one, stood in the breach before Him to keep His wrath from destroying them." Moses was a man willing to stand in the gap, sacrificially, for those who were not deserving of such sacrifice. This sacrificial love by Moses is called for among His people today.

The prophet Ezekiel described another situation in which God's people fell into sin. God was ready to destroy the nation when He spoke to Ezekiel, asking him if there is a man willing to stand in the gap so that God would not have to destroy His people.

Judah was a man who stood in the gap on behalf of his younger brother Benjamin. Joseph held his brother Simeon hostage as insurance that the other brothers would bring Benjamin to Egypt. Judah had a long history of a me-focused life, but in this instance he came forward to stand in the gap for his younger brother. He responded to the anguish of his father, Jacob, by personally guaranteeing the safe return of both Simeon and Benjamin. Judah's sacrifice was rewarded (see Gen. 42-43).

Just as Christ did, we are to be those who will stand in the gap on behalf of others who are not aware of their own vulnerable condition. It is a proactive sacrificial position.

Who is God calling you to stand in the gap for?

Perhaps it is a mate; perhaps it is a coworker who has not come to know the Savior; perhaps it is a wayward child.

Are you willing to become the sacrificial offering to God to change His plans of judgment because of your willingness to stand in their place?

This is a hard teaching. This is what Jesus did for each of us. When we stand in the place of another, God moves because of our willingness to stand on their behalf.

If we don't, His plans will go forward because He is a righteous and holy God who will honor His own word, even if it means destruction.

Are you willing to stand in the breach of the wall for someone today?

Perhaps you are the only person who will stand on someone's behalf.