Gap … God’s People in the Gap (part 4 of 4)

The wall around a city is more than symbol of protection, it is the very strength of her defense, the bulwark built to keep the inhabitants safe, secure, and able to sleep at night. It is vital to a nation’s well being. And like the words of Col. Jessep from the movie A Few Good Men …

Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who’s gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom … You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something … I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post.

These are great words from a military man (albeit fictitious) who has spent his career defending the wall (and thus defending our nation) … and it has impact on me to consider what our military, our first responders, do to man that wall for me, for you.

But unfortunately, there are times that the wall gets a crack, defenses are let down due to multiple reasons, most often out of their control. And in the breach, bad things pour in, security is compromised, and we are in danger.

I get the image in my head of the broken wall of Helm’s Deep and the Orcs pour in through the gap. (Yes, I love LOTR)

Breaches in walls are more than compromises to our physical protections, there can be real breaches in our morality, our culture, our very way of life … and to have breaks own those walls have even greater impact than break in physical walls.

For three days, I’ve looked at the gap and focused on hiking. However, the impetus for these few days is a powerful, and sad, saying of our God that tells us God is looking for someone to stand in the breach, to stand in the gap.

The sadness of the words are based in the depth of the debasement portrayed in the chapter … immorality, sexual impurity, breaking taboo norms, defiling sacred things and days, social injustice, and so much more.

And the big punch was that God’s people had forgotten God. God’s people. Forgot the God who called and saved them. Forgot.

And as I read this, I saw so many parallels to America. So many parallels. I also see parallels to the church today. We too, way too often, can be accused of forgetting God.

After declaring all the breaks in the wall, after proclaiming what God’s people had done to bring about so many gaps in the walls, so many gaps …. after declaring all this, God says He looks for a man to stand in the gap, someone who would rise to speak for the people, to help rebuild the wall, to be an advocate. Here’s the real sadness … He found none. The prophets and priests were corrupt. The people were broken. Judgement fell on them.

Let me get to my point.

First the sad …

Our walls today have gaps. We too have breaks in moral choices and respect to God’s standards. We too have broken walls (our nation, the church, families, etc).

Then the glad …

God is looking. He seeks one who will stand in the gap. There is hope. Can judgment be averted? Can our nation have a future? Can the church be revived? (NOTE: the Church will stand, but local churches are not exempt from judgement.)

Then, the challenge ….

How does one stand in the gap?

• Intercede for others … pray for others, especially your family, your church. Moses prayed for the nation, and God didn’t destroy and start fresh. Nehemiah prayed and God opened doors for rebuilding a city.
• Identify with others … Jesus came to be with the poor, the outcast. He was executed between criminals. He was he friend of sinners.
• Remind them of God’s blessings and standard … we need to remember our first love and what He has done for us

WHAT TO EXPECT …

• Expect opposition
• Long for judgment to be averted
• Realize to restore a fallen brother saves them

FINALLY …

• Will you be one to stand next to the gap?

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POST SCRIPT … I attended the Promise Keepers Stand in the Gap in 1997. Here is a picture of the possible 1 million men gathering to worship and commit to pray for their nation, their family, their church. I continue to pray. ( I apologize for the stock photo, I couldn’t find mine)