And I sought a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. – Ezekiel 22:30, Amplified Bible (AMP)

One person can make a difference.

When we see a need that others have, we usually are quick to meet it – but only if doing so is convenient. The moment that helping others begins to cost us too much, we back off, and we do what is best for us.

This is very true when we recognize the spiritual needs of others. When it comes to helping a person, a congregation, or even a culture defend themselves against the consequences of sin, we usually gauge the cost of helping as too high. Now is never a convenient time to war against sin, especially when helping people understand the consequences of sin might very well cause them to become mad at us for being “judgmental.”

Even when we point sin out in the most gentle, loving ways possible, we can still be branded as “judgmental.” Unfortunately, there is little we can do to stop this. But, if we can just get it through our thick skulls that we are NOT on this Earth to please people but, rather, to please God, then we will come to understand that confronting sin, even if it makes people mad at us, is the best thing we can do for them. If something that we say or something that we pray leads a person or a people to repentance, then they will escape God’s judgment for one reason and for one reason only – we cared enough about them to risk their wrath.

In Ezekiel 22:30, God looked for one person to intercede for Israel so that He might not destroy it. No one stood in the gap, and Israel suffered. Odds are, you know one or more people that are in danger of destruction, and you have a chance to stand in the gap between God’s wrath and God’s mercy. Will you stand in the gap like Moses did, confronting those you love with their sin while begging God to replace wrath with mercy? Or, will you hide in the shadows while God’s wrath bridges the gap in your place?

There is no certainty that the people you defend will repent and turn to God. There is no certainty that God will hold His wrath off any longer. But, one thing is certain. God will honor your efforts in the defense of others, and you will be rewarded by Him for trying to bring others to repentance.

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