(Ezk)‬ ‭22‬:‭30‬ ‭CJB‬‬ ‘I sought for a man among them who could build a barricade or stand in the break to oppose me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.”

God is looking for men who will stand in the gap! Men who know His Word, understand His holiness, and plead for His mercy.

Are you one of them?

In Ezekiel 22 God was looking for someone to intercede for His rebellious people, but found no one!

What Does It Mean to Stand in the Gap?

Intercessory prayer is more than asking God to bless someone.

It’s pleading for mercy on behalf of people deserving His judgment.

Moses provides one of the greatest examples.

When Israel worshiped the golden calf, God threatened to destroy them and make a great nation from Moses (Exodus 32:10).

But Moses interceded!

He pleaded with God to remember His promises, protect His reputation, and show mercy.

Moses knew God’s holiness, but he also knew His mercy!

He appealed to God’s Word and character, not his own righteousness.

And God spared Israel from the threatened destruction.

God Is Looking for Men Who Know His Word

Earlier, in Ezekiel God identifies three righteous men: Noah, Daniel, and Job.

Yet even their righteousness couldn’t deliver rebellious Israel from God’s announced judgment.

Consider their examples:

• Noah proclaimed righteousness to a wicked generation facing judgment (2 Peter 2:5).
• Daniel confessed Israel’s sins and pleaded for God to fulfill His promise of restoration (Daniel 9).
• Job regularly offered sacrifices for his children, concerned that they might have sinned against God (Job 1:5).

These men understood God’s holiness and the seriousness of sin.

But they also knew His mercy, patience, faithfulness, and love.

They knew the God before whom they stood!

Will You Stand in the Gap?

Men, how can we intercede if we don’t know God?

How can we appeal to His promises if we don’t know His Word?

How can we plead for sinners if we don’t recognize the seriousness of sin?

And how can we pray for mercy if we don’t understand the salvation God provides through Jesus Christ?

Jesus is our perfect intercessor (Hebrews 7:25).

He alone saves sinners through His death and resurrection.

Our prayers don’t replace His work. We plead for God to bring people to repentance and faith in Christ.

Look around!

Families are struggling. Churches are compromising. People are rejecting God’s Word and facing eternal judgment.

Where are the men willing to stand in the gap?

Run Today’s Play

Identify three people who desperately need God’s mercy.

Pray for them by name!

Ask God to bring them to repentance, restore their relationship with Him, and open doors for you to share His truth.

Don’t simply recognize the sin around you. Intercede for those caught in it!

God is looking for men who will stand in the gap. Will He find you?