Tag: Intercessor

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Standing in the Gap

Daily Reading

Ezekiel 21-22

Daily Thought

“The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries.’” ~Ezekiel 21:1-2 

Ezekiel has spoken God’s word to Israel, words of warning unheeded, and now it is time to act. “You have despised the rod, my son, with everything of wood. So the sword is given to be polished, that it may be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished to be given into the hand of the slayer” (Ezekiel 21:10-11). The rod is God’s discipline, made of wood like a shepherd’s crook, meant to guide sheep along the right path. But these sheep are lost, they have despised the shepherd, and now the sword.

There was one last word of hope, “‘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. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done,’ declares the Sovereign Lord” (Ezekiel 22:30-31). The last word of hope, but none was found to stand in the gap between God and the people.

Hope is lost, but the story is not over. God will restore Israel, raising her from the dead (see Ezekiel 37), but still missing is the one who will stand in the gap. 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~John 1:14

None could stand so One was sent, Jesus Christ, who “is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). 

We no longer need fear the sword, because the One who will stand in the gap has been found.

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” ~1John 2:1-2

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise You and lift up Your Name. All that You do is wonderful and marvelous. All of creation reflects the artistry of my Creator. Because of Jesus Christ, I am now a citizen of heaven. May I live here on earth with the mindset of eternity. May I live a life that reflects Your kingdom. I serve You, God, which means I serve everyone. May I be one who stands in the gap beside Your Son and bring others to You.

Amen

Daily Question

Is there any other hope in this world beside Jesus? Why or why not?

Posted on

Standing in the Gap

Daily Reading

Ezekiel 21-22

Daily Thought

“The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries'” (Ezekiel 21:1-2). Ezekiel has spoken God’s word to Israel, words of warning unheeded, and now it is time to act. “You have despised the rod, my son, with everything of wood. So the sword is given to be polished, that it may be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished to be given into the hand of the slayer” (Ezekiel 21:10-11). The rod is God’s discipline, made of wood like a shepherd’s crook, meant to guide sheep along the right path. But these sheep are lost, they have despised the shepherd, and now the sword.

There was one last word of hope, “‘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. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done,’ declares the Sovereign Lord” (Ezekiel 22:30-31). The last word of hope, but none was found to stand in the gap between God and the people.

Hope is lost, but the story is not over. God will restore Israel, raising her from the dead (see Ezekiel 37), but still missing is the one who will stand in the gap. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). None could stand so One was sent, Jesus Christ, who “is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). 

We no longer need fear the sword, because the One who will stand in the gap has been found.

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” ~1John 2:1-2

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise You and lift up Your Name. All that You do is wonderful and marvelous. All of creation reflects the artistry of my Creator. Because of Jesus Christ, I am now a citizen of heaven. May I live here on earth with the mindset of eternity. May I live a life that reflects Your kingdom. I serve You, God, which means I serve everyone. May I be one who stands in the gap beside Your Son and bring others to You.

Amen