HCC Monthly Harvest Seed
Ezekiel 22:30 - So, I sought for a man among them who would make a wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
A few years ago, two policemen were sent to issue a citation to a resident for not keeping their yard cut. It was a civic code in this town. They encountered a widow, who had recently lost her husband. She apologized, because she was physically unable to do the work. The two policemen came back after their shift and cut her lawn and trimmed the hedges. They didn’t ignore the requirements. They became part of the solution. They filled in the gaps.
I call people like this – Gap people.
Gap people see when there are things that are needed and they step in to fill the hole to make something complete.
Every day we encounter gaps. Some are small and some are large.
Gaps happen. Gaps in floors, gaps in bricks, gaps in windows. Teeth gaps, road gaps, roof gaps, and foundation gaps. They mark spots that are broken and in need of repair.
God has called us to fill in the gaps in people’s lives spiritually and in the natural.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we have been given the ministry of intercession.
God is looking for people who will stand in the gap for others. Those people who will close the gaps or the areas where the enemy can get in.
Most people, when they think of intercession, think of prayer. While there is intercessory prayer for people, the type of prayer that goes to God on behalf of others.
The idea of intercession is so much more.
Intercession is something that you choose to do. It is a gift in the sense that you are doing something for someone else but it is not a spiritual gift that you either have or do not have.
There is no need to over spiritualize something that is so powerful and also so practical.
Everyone is called to be and can be an intercessor in one way or another.
The word "intercede" comes from the Latin "inter" meaning "between" and "ced" meaning "go". To intercede literally means "go between".
Think of a brick wall, the mortar in the joints goes between the bricks. That mortar "goes between", or "intercedes", between the bricks to bind them together and strengthen them. Without the mortar "going between" the bricks, the wall would collapse.
If you want to break down a wall, the easiest way is to start where there are gaps in the mortar. You start chopping and chipping at those sections and soon the entire wall will lack the support it needs and will give way.
Satan looks for the gaps and begins to chip away at a person, a family, or a nation in their place of weakness to cause them to be destroyed.
Those who intercede fill in the gaps so that there is no place of weakness. It is the picture of a soldier stepping in to fill the gap in a defensive line so that the line is strengthened and there are no gaps that the enemy can infiltrate.
Nehemiah was a gap person and he inspired people to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem that had been destroyed.
Moses was a gap person. When the anger of God was kindled against Israel Moses pleaded on their behalf.
Exodus 32:11 - Then Moses pleaded with the Lord his God, and said: “Lord, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
This is what Jesus did for us. Jesus is the ultimate gap filler.
Jesus filled in the gaps on our behalf by going to the cross. He defeated and destroyed the works of the devil when we could not.
He overcame sin, death, and the grave when we could not.
He paid the debt that we owed to God on our behalf so that the wrath of God could be appeased by the blood of the spotless Lamb of God.
1 Peter 2:24 (NLT) - He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
(AMP) - He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed.
When it comes to filling in the gaps God is simply looking for people who are willing to be available.
Ezekiel 22:30 - “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.
When God spoke to the prophet Ezekiel He said – “I am looking for someone to stand in the gap”.
Do not miss the simplicity of this. I just need someone who will stand.
Just stand right here in this space. Just stand.
Too often we overcomplicate things. Jesus didn’t say I am looking for a skilled stone mason.
He said if we are going to rebuild the wall of righteousness in society, I need someone to just stand right here next to the other people that are standing. Now we have a complete wall of righteousness.
People who will stand for the ways of God and refuse to move or budge.
When it comes to spiritual warfare Jesus said in Ephesians 6
Ephesians 6:13-14a - Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand.
(AMP) - Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14 So stand firm and hold your ground,
Just stand and hold your ground.
Just stand.
God is looking for people who will make themselves available to fill in the gaps.
Isaiah 6:8 - Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
I believe that in our day God is looking for people with the Spirit of Isaiah. Here I am send me. Choose me.
Every time I read this verse; I see Horshack from Welcome Back Kotter with his had up in class to be called on. OHHH, Mr. Kotter!
In Ezekiel’s day there was no one willing to take a stand and fill in the gaps.
May that not be so in our day.
I am excited about unpacking this message for us as a church.
I believe that God is raising up a people who will stand in our society as people of righteousness in a wicked society. People who will stand as symbols of hope pointing to Jesus in a world that needs hope. People who will stand and protect those that need shielded from the evil that is in the world.
May the Lord Bless you and your family. Remember that you are loved.
Pastor Marvin and Dawn