Who Will Stand In The Gap?

The gap is not the best or safest place in which to stand; no wonder, it is often hard to find someone who will. The gap is not a comfortable place or position in which to stand; no wonder, so many people find the gap unsuitable. The gap is a lonely place in which to stand. It’s a single spot between the antagonist and the protagonist; no wonder, only a courageous few will stand in the gap.

Jesus tops the list of people who stood in the gap, and look what happened to Him. The gap is a dangerous, dark and degrading place in which to stand. God told Ezekiel that He looked, He searched and found no one to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30).  In our world God is still looking for people to stand in the gap.

At least, you now know that the gap is not a nice place, but what does it mean to stand in the gap. Simply put, it’s a noble stance for others and most importantly a stance for God.

Now, who will stand in such an unsafe, uncomfortable and uncommon place?

Moses answered, “I will stand in the gap”: So many times he fell down on his face and interceded for the people. When God wanted to destroy the wayward, ungrateful and quarrelsome people of Israel, Moses spoke up, prayed and pleaded for them. When they spoke against God, Moses stood up for God. Standing in the gap is interceding for others.

David answered, “I will stand in the gap”: The Philistine army battered the people of Israel, and now this; a daring demand to fight their giant Goliath. David was a tiny boy, at a tiny age compared to the ginormous giant Goliath. Yet, with faith firing up his fingers, he drew that single stone to kill the giant and liberate the people. Standing in the gap is facing the giants of our world, poverty, diseases, injustice, societal trends and influences.

Nehemiah answered, “I will stand in the gap”: When it came to gaps, Nehemiah was the ideal man for the job. He left serving the King to serve a battered people living in a battered city. He and his men, literally had to stand in gaps to ward off the enemy as they rebuilt the city. Standing in the gap is making sacrifices for others.

Esther answered, “I will stand in the gap”: With the Jews facing annihilation, it would seem Esther, a Jew and the queen had no choice but to speak up, but she didn’t have to. Besides, she was the queen, the King could make an exception for her. By presenting herself before the king unannounced, she faced death. Yet, she choose to walk the path of death, and her brave words, “if I perish, I perish” has left a resounding echo throughout history. Standing in the gap is speaking up in the face of danger.

Jesus answered, “I will stand in the gap”: It is no secret, He died on the cross for you and me. But I remember the three Hebrew boys thrown into the fire because they failed to bow down to an idol. Didn’t Jesus stand in the gap for those boys? He came down from heaven with such a rush to rescue them from a fire only He can quench. Jesus will stand in the gap for you during your adversities. Standing in the gap is facing adversity with others.

Now who will stand in the gap?

A noble parent will quickly answer, “I will stand in the gap for my children.  I will pray for them, pray with them, speak up and defend them.”

A noble employee will quickly answer, “I will stand in the gap for my co-worker who is having personal issues. I will make sacrifices to help.”

A noble neighbor will quickly answer, “I will stand in the gap and live peaceably with my neighbors, inside and outside of my household.”

A noble youth will quickly answer, “I will stand in the gap for other young people who are facing issues at school.”

A noble Christian will quickly answer, “I will stand in the gap for the Lord and go where He leads.”

By standing in the gap, you may not lead thousands of people in the wilderness, build a wall, go in front of king or face a giant in battle, but we all need to stand in the gap in our homes and in our societies. In every aspect of our lives, there are gaps both big and small. No gap is too small or too insignificant to God and none is too big that He won’t help you to stand.

Therefore, with God’s help and strength, let us seek to stand in the gap for others and for God. He is looking, searching for us, I pray, He will find us ready and waiting to take the stand.

2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”