By Pastor David Odom
As I was traveling from town the other day, I began to pay attention to all the bridges we have in our little hometown. We have many bridges. Some are big, some are small, some are narrow, some span across a creek or river, some cross above other intersecting roadways, and some of them just connect us from one hillside to another. But, they all have one common purpose. That bridge is “standing in the gap” from road to road to connect us to where we need to go.
Without bridges we would not be able to travel from place to place safely or effectively.
I also thought of many of the nations and cities listed throughout the Bible. Many of them had a wall built around them to protect from the enemies. The walls were built wide enough for the warriors to walk and stand guard against potential attacks. If there was an area of the wall in need of repair, it had to be taken care of quickly. Any “gaps” in the wall were a threat to that city’s well-being. Someone could penetrate the city through that “gap” and destroy the city from the inside out. Then, if they didn’t have enough men to stand guard or someone was not at their post, the wall would have a “gap” in its hedge of protection around the city.
I am afraid that many of our spiritual hedges of protection that surround our families, churches, marriages and our children have some weak spots in them. We don’t have very many Christians willing to “stand in the gap” against the enemy. “Standing in the gap” is not an easy task, it’s not for the faint at heart, and it’s not for those wanting to come into a church service to “blend in” and mark the Sunday Morning church service off their weekly social “check list.” Ezekiel 22:30 tells us that there is not many willing to “stand in the gap.” Verse 30 says with the Lord speaking, “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” God help each and every one of us to “stand in the gap.” We have many people in our town that we need to “stand in the gap” for. We as Christians are the only “bridge” that they will come across to connect them with God. We have to “stand in the gap” for those who are sick, those that are addicted, our kids and family, our nation and our president and most of all for those that don’t know Christ as their savior. What a wonderful picture that it paints that God can use you as a “bridge” to “stand in the gap” and connect others to God. No matter the shape or size of the “bridge” you are, we all serve a divine purpose.
In addition 2 Chronicles 7:14 God calls us to “stand in the gap.” Verse 14 reads, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Sounds like a promise to me, and so far God has a perfect track record on keeping his promises! The challenges this week: Have you been standing in the gap on behalf of your town and the people around you? Are you willing to “stand in the gap” for your church, family, and those sick and lost? Has God called you to “stand in the gap” and you are not at you post at all times? Be careful — the enemy will get in and try to kill, steal, and destroy you. “Stand in the gap” for someone this week. After all, Jesus “stood in the gap” for us even when we didn’t deserve it. He bridged the gap between the sin we were born into and connected us to God through his precious blood that was shed on the cross of Calvary!!! God Bless!!
(The Solution Column is provided by Pastor Brandon Young of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church and his associate, David Odom.)