Stand in the Gap

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Nehemiah 1-3
NT: Luke 3
W&W: Psalm 43


Today’s Reflection:

In the Bible and in the lives of people we know, we often find that the sin of individuals negatively impact the whole people. In today’s Old Testament reading, we understand the sin of the people can afflict one righteous man. But, we find that the repentance of that one man can have positive impact on the whole people.

If you read today’s scripture, you will see that Nehemiah – when told about the trouble and disgrace of the remnant who had returned to Jerusalem – sat down and wept, mourned and fasted. He prayed, “I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you” (Nehemiah 1.6).

Once again, we see a leader truly – not just ceremonially – identifying with the sin of the whole people. Nehemiah had not been part of the cause of the exile (He hadn’t been born yet.), but he did acknowledge that he was part of the people who had acted wickedly toward God. He was guilty for they were guilty. He meant it.

Having recognized his guilt, however, he threw himself upon the mercy of God. He called upon god to remember his promises for a people who would return to God. Since he repented, representing all the people, he could return, representing all the people. Thus in the return of one man all were returning to God. Through this one man’s faith, all would participate in the gathering.

God has said in another place, “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall stand before me in the gap,… but, I found none” (Ezekiel 22.30). Two generations later, God found Nehemiah and sent him to gather the people to build up the wall and stand in the gap.

We know that God has appointed Jesus to stand in the gap on behalf of the sins of the whole world. Yet today, God is looking for men and women who will build up the wall and stand in the gap in their own communities and churches, as did Nehemiah. Will you be one who – like Nehemiah – will identify completely with the sins of the people? Will you then repent and plead for God’s mercy? Will you then go and gather the redeemed people? If you will, God will use you to bring about great revival in your land.


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.2-3: He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.