I looked for someone 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 no one. Ezekiel 22:30
Welcome to my real-life adventure in hearing God’s voice. Come along with me for the exciting ride.
Last November I had a Big idea in the shower that seemed to just pop into my mind (see “An Idea” on Nov. 14). It had to do with raising funds for anti-trafficking ministries by offering to paint portraits for $$$$ donated. Because of the enormous scale of the project, I asked the Lord for confirmation. Since then, I’ve been going about the Father’s business, not even really praying about the idea.
A couple of weeks ago a guest speaker, Pastor Choco De Jesus, urged us to be a people who stand in the gap (he has written a book on the topic). The metaphor harkens back to a time when cities needed walls to be safe from their enemies. A break in the wall or a gap was a threat.
In Ezekiel, God is using the gap metaphor to highlight Israel’s need for an intercessor. The priests, who were to teach the people God’s laws, were themselves breaking the law and profaning God’s holy things (v. 26). Israel’s kings, who God intended to be the people’s shepherds, were tearing and destroying the people (v. 27). The prophets were divining lies (v.28). It seems that the people themselves had abandoned all justice because they oppressed the poor and needy, and they wrongly oppressed strangers (v.29). God sought for anyone among them who would stand in the gap so that He should not destroy their nation. But God found no one. Yikes!
The pastor compared ancient Israel to our own culture today. Is there anyone who follows God’s law? Do people even acknowledge the holiness of God? Our leaders/shepherds tear and devour each other and us. We have abandoned justice by calling evil good and vice versa. The gaps in the “wall” of our nation abound. God is searching for intercessors who will make a wall against homelessness, drug addiction, trafficking, etc. in our nation. Who will stand in the gap?
At this point in the sermon, my heart was throbbing. I felt the presence of the Lord weighing on me. Even the mention of the word “trafficking” stabbed my heart. My heart bleeds for the children and adults who are trafficked; I want to stand in the gap for them.
The pastor called us forward. Hundreds of people streamed to the altar to declare themselves “Gap People.” I had to go forward.
I crowded into the tiny space with all the other saints. I prayed, “Yes, God! You already have my ‘yes.’ Whatever You ask, wherever You send me, You already have my yes.” As the pastor blessed this army of intercessors, God reminded me of that Big idea from November.
No more confirmations are needed. This is God’s idea. He has my “yes.” What an adventure it is to follow God. I don’t know where this is going. I don’t know how I will get there. But I am moving forward one baby step at a time knowing God is in this. He will make a way.
Stay tuned for the next installment of adventures in hearing God.