ICS Daily Devotions
Join Hands with God
Ezekiel 22:29-31 (NKJV) The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.
I am sure all of us would appreciate having people praying for us when we are going through tough times. Not only will we experience the grace of God carrying us through the challenges, but we will also witness the work of God’s hands throughout the process. Therefore, we should learn to take time to intercede, or stand in the gap, for one another whenever the need arises. In fact, God is always looking for someone to do that, so that He can act justly, righteously and prevent the work of the devil.
The word “gap” in the opening passage means a break, gap or breach, especially a gap in a wall. It shows that there are gaps or breaches that need to be repaired. Standing in the gap is the metaphor for committed intercession, because there is a gap between God and man that an intercessor tries to repair.
We live in a very different time and dispensation as in the Book of Ezekiel. The people were evil and far away from God. Although God is a God of mercy, He is also holy, righteous, and just, and cannot tolerate sin. Therefore, He had to judge sin and rebelliousness, and what a sad day it was when God commanded Ezekiel to prophesy against the sin of Jerusalem, declaring that He had no choice but to judge the land! In contrast, we are very blessed to be living in the dispensation of grace, where we have peace with God after the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, but we will still have to deal with the flesh and the work of the devil who attempts to kill, steal and destroy us through tribulation and persecution.
Although God is sovereign, He will not impose or override the choices we make. Therefore, we need to express our dependency on Him and share our struggles with others. It is with this shared information that the body of Christ can stand in the gap for one another by joining hands with God who uses Jesus and the Holy Spirit to intercede for those He loves. Let’s rise up to be a people of prayer by praying for individuals, the church, the company, and the government, because God moves when we pray and intercede.
Sermon Series: I Have You Covered
