Standing In the Gap

"...I searched for someone to stand in the gap...but I found no one." Ezekiel 22:30

I love a great God-story, and if it involves my family, I treasure it all the more.

I recall so vividly, as a child still living in my parent's home, my Dad was at a crossroads. While employed for a company that supplied for our needs, yet often seemed to bring more stress than blessings, he was approached to take a position as full-time Pastor for a church in need. Although not an ordained minister, this was my Dad's dream opportunity. Vastly different than his job at the time, he was not however foreign to this calling. 

At least fifty out of the fifty-two weeks in a year, Dad was standing behind a pulpit in some church, somewhere, sharing the Gospel message. If a Pastor went on vacation or suddenly became ill, our phone would ring and Dad would be the "pulpit supply Pastor" for as long as needed. Although we did have a fellowship we called "home", most Sundays of the year found us as the "visiting family", always travelling with Dad, and often becoming part of the package as "special music". My sister and I would frequently play a piano duet or "sing and sign" (American Sign Language), a worship number.

Dad was overjoyed to receive this invitation, and the church extending this welcome was willing to have my father step into the position without a formal degree, supporting him as he continued the courses he had begun at Bible College. It seemed too good to be true. A long-time desire fulfilled. Leaving a good position at a job that brought so much pressure, in exchange for lesser income but more joy. As both my parents did with everything, Dad took it to the Lord in prayer. 

When we ask the Lord to provide direction, how open are we to His leading? Sometimes we come before God with the answer we want so desperately on our hearts, that our minds miss any other path He might confirm. We keep reading God's Word until we find a verse that will validate the way we want to take. We must always come before the Lord with open hands, open will, open ears and obedient heart.

The morning God made His will for Dad clear is one I will never forget. Dad had been enjoying a time with the Lord as he did every morning, sitting in his big, blue chair. He was closing in on the final verses of his Bible reading that day when, in the King James Version dad read Ezekiel 22:30, "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land...but I found none."

Do you see it? Have you felt it? When you are looking for the Lord to speak specific direction and then suddenly, and often unexpectedly, His words jump off the page so vividly, you are almost blinded by the light they provide. What follows is an unspeakable joy. Even if the guidance takes the path you had least wanted, to know that God wants you there surpasses any other desire. Dad was to remain at his employment and continue in his "gap-filling" ministry. He had no more doubt. He could respond with the assurance of knowing where the Lord wanted him and continue with an awakened passion in a position that had become tiresome and tedious. This confirmed vocation at his current job would continue to financially provide for his weekend ministry, as Dad always refused any remuneration offered. His Sunday speaking was His gift to the Lord. 

And, as only God can write really great God-stories. The following morning my Dad went to his company office and a broken, searching soul wandered in. Right there, in the very place he longed to leave, he had the honour of guiding a co-worker to respond to Christ's invitation of salvation. It was not time to resign yet. His life was being used to share the message of the cross every day of the week. The cross that bridged the gap between our sin and our Saviour. Yes, Dad was following in the steps of his Heavenly Father. They were both in the gap filling business.

Fickle or Faithful

"Then this message came to me from the LORD: 'Son of man, give this riddle, and tell this story to the people of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: 'A great eagle with broad wings and long feathers, covered with many-coloured plumage, came to Lebanon. He seized the top of a cedar tree and plucked off its highest branch. He carried it away to a city filled with merchants. He planted it in a city of traders. He also took a seedling from the land and planted it in fertile soil. He placed it beside a broad river, where it could grow like a willow tree. It took root there and grew into a low, spreading vine. Its branches turned up toward the eagle, and its roots grew down into the ground. It produced strong branches and put out shoots. But then another great eagle came with broad wings and full plumage. So the vine now sent its roots and branches toward him for water, even though it was already planted in good soil and had plenty of water so it could grow into a splendid vine and produce rich leaves and luscious fruit. So now the Sovereign LORD asks: Will this vine grow and prosper? No! I will pull it up, roots and all! I will cut off its fruit and let its leaves wither and die. I will pull it up easily without a strong arm or a large army. But when the vine is transplanted, will it thrive? No, it will wither away when the east wind blows against it. It will die in the same good soil where it had grown so well.'" Ezekiel 17:1-10

I make no apologies for the long scripture text today. God's Word is far more important than mine. Recognizing that this riddle has symbolism regarding God and the nation of Israel, and without delving deep into the political implications and the ruling powers, my attention was drawn to both the potential to flourish when we are faithful to the Lord, and how quickly we give it all up at the sudden appearance of something new. Once our trust is placed in the Lord, we must remain in "good soil" throughout our lifetime.

Earlier today I received a message from a friend who had been invited to attend a baptism of a young man she knew. Because he extended the invitation she wanted to be present to witness this step of obedience. He had previously been part of a Bible-believing, truth-teaching body of believers, but over the past couple of years he had moved to another gathering that was questionable in Biblical content. My friend discovered in the four hours she was at this "baptism" that it was far from scriptural in procedure. Included in the service were, and I quote, "candle lighting for the dead, kissing pictures of 'saints', eating of 'holy bread' and various other rituals. No Bible was ever opened."

Here was a person who had once been part of a fellowship, planted in "fertile soil", "beside a broad river" where growth could happen and roots produce strong branches, putting out new shoots. Then another "eagle" appears, swoops in, and allegiance immediately turns to something new and attractive. How very easily influenced we can be when we do not know God's Word. How could this young man be so deceived? I think what frightens me most is that this soul believes he is "found". What a scary place to be. What moved his heart from truth to confusion and deception?

This message stood in stark contrast to the baptisms witnessed yesterday morning at my home church. Two men, one older and one younger, taking steps of obedience and declaring their love for Christ. No candle lighting, but hearts set on fire for the Lord. No kissing pictures of saints, but worshipping at the feet of the One and Only God. No eating of holy bread, but tasting the goodness of the Lord. Friends, truth is continually being twisted. Take heed. Placing confidence in anything outside of Biblical truth we will wither and die. Be faithful, not fickle.

Unless the LORD Had Helped Me...

"Unless the LORD had helped me..." Psalm 94:17a

A truer statement could not be written. My life is a continual example of "unless the LORD had helped me situations.

Unless the LORD had helped me...

...my life would have ended in hours, not years

...I would have failed exams instead of passing

...peer pressure would have won

...I would have missed my dream job

...I never would have got on that plane

...cruel words would have been spoken instead of withheld

...I would have been too terrified to raise a child

...fear would overcome and win

...I would have given up far too soon

...life would be too hard

...I would have harboured unforgiveness

...I would have trusted too small and missed opportunities

...depression would have defeated and cancer would have conquered

...I could not have volunteered to serve in facilitator roles

...I would have missed reaching out to a now treasured friend

...insecurity would have prevented me from a caring confrontation

...lack of confidence would have bound my life in loneliness

...I would never love and obey Him like I do

...when invited to serve, 'no' would be my response more often than 'yes'

...thoughts would rarely be held captive

...I would have lost all hope

...getting out of bed some days would be overwhelming

...praise through pain would be impossible

Unless the LORD had helped me, I would be nothing at all.

Needed Shame

"Now this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will give you what you deserve, for you have taken your solemn vows lightly by breaking your covenant...you will remember with shame all the evil you have done...You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!'" Ezekiel 16:59, 61, 63

Earlier today I was speaking with a friend and we were discussing sin. Quite the topic for a 5am conversation. She was relaying to me something she had witnessed by those claiming the name of Christ. Instead of expressing remorse over what had touched their lives, these women were presenting it as "normal" and acceptable, even glamourizing and defending what should be breaking their hearts.

Because shame is often associated with condemnation, we are very quick, as Christ-followers, to denounce this as a negative emotion, but is it always a harmful response that should be avoided? It was just within the last year I discovered verses in Psalm 83 where Asaph prays for God to use shame as a tool that awakens those partaking in evil to the realization of their actions. He prays, "Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD. Let them be put to share...May they know You alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most Hight over all the earth." The purpose of shame is to bring them to their senses, see their sin, and seek the Lord.

I will quickly add here that there is definitely some perverted and misdirected shame that has been heaped on undeserving individuals either from others or self-inflicted. This is not the shame I am considering today. That type of shame is always harmful and often requires the help of others so it can be identified and healed.

Shame, however, is not a bad thing when it leads to a good thing. Often it is shame that causes us to recognize sin, which can then be confessed and repented, moving us forward to forgiveness and sanctification. It troubles me when I see those dismissing sin too quickly, like it never happened. Yes, the Lord does remove it as far as the east is to the west (Psalm 103:12), but it's scar should humble us. Romanticizing sin and trivializing it only encourages others to do likewise, embracing their sin, viewing it as inconsequential, while softening the reality of God's holiness.

It is true, as believers there are things scripture tells us of which we should never feel ashamed. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:8, "never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord." Jesus adds to this in Mark 8:38 saying, "If anyone is ashamed of Me and My message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He returns in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Peter also encourages us in 1 Peter 4:16, "it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by His name!" John Piper, responding to a question regarding shame sums it up like this: "Don't feel shame for something that honours God, no matter how weak or foolish it makes you look in the eyes of others." 

Shame also has great value in the redemptive process of lives turning to Christ. For those who too casually respond to sin, Paul instructs, "Stay away from them so they will be ashamed" (2 Thessalonians 2:14b). We all need to be impacted by shame temporarily when we are walking in disobedience. Distancing ourselves briefly from those participating in and pursuing sinful behaviour, for the purpose of calling their activity to attention, can have beneficial results.

If a path we are walking includes anything that is not honouring to the Lord, we should feel some humiliation and discomfort. It worries me when life can go on as usual without any evidence of recognizing sinful ways, especially with those in positions of influence. Today's Christian almost rejoices when they see a leader commit sin and continue offering teaching without a blip in their schedule. To me, their audience then feels their own personal disobedience can also be condoned far too easily.

Lord, would You show us our hearts. Maybe some time of "silent shame" is what we need most to bring us back in close and vital fellowship with You. After feeling the weight, help us move forward in a way that honours You.

Redeeming Rain

"While I (Ezekiel) was still prophesying, Pelatiah son of Benaiah suddenly died. Then I fell face down on the ground and cried out, 'O Sovereign LORD, are You going to kill everyone in Israel?'" Ezekiel 11:13

I wonder how many of you are familiar with a children's storybook entitled, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day", by Judith Viorst. After his day beginning with gum stuck in his hair, the following 24 hours for Alexander go from bad to worst. One calamity after another arrives and this dear little boy wonders if bad things only follow him. Do we sometimes feel likewise? Can we identify with this storybook character? Although the story is fictional, the facts remain. Regardless of age, position, or location we have probably all been touched by days, or even seasons, that have not turned out the way we had hoped and anticipated.

A couple of days ago I was preparing a document for the Women's Mission Circle Outreach, a ladies prayer group that I facilitate twice a month at our church. Reading each of the missionary letters that have been received over the past couple of weeks I was collecting all the "Prayer and Praise" requests so that we can best optimize our time at our next meeting as we lift each need to the Lord on behalf of these precious folk. Usually, the letters provide encouraging updates of all that God has done since their last correspondence, with upcoming opportunities listed for prayer. As I continued to open each letter, suddenly one took all my attention. It was like reading a revised edition of the children's book referenced above. Hardship after hardship had fallen to this family, and quite honestly, I was crying by the time I finished reading their update. Not that they neglected sharing ways they have seen the Lord at work, they did, but I could feel the weight of the intense trials they are currently enduring. Unrelentingly, and for months now, they have been physically, emotionally and mentally attacked. Even while writing the letter, they were interrupted with the news of the death of a child dear to their heart. Sometimes we wonder if we are caught in a vortex that will never end. My heart ached for this couple as I presented their needs before the Lord.

I sense the same circumstances revolving around Ezekiel. He has been struggling with all that he sees around him and the devastation, destruction and denial of the Lord from those living in the land. In the middle of the messages he is delivering as a prophet of the Lord, suddenly we read of the unexpected death of Benaiah's son, Peletiah. The news overwhelms the prophet as he falls face down on the ground and cries out to God. I know we have all been in that identical place. The news received may have been different, but our response the same. A death, accident, job loss, diagnosis, broken relationship or other unexpected and unwanted news arrives suddenly, threatening to put our lives into an unrecoverable tailspin, and we fall before the Lord in our pain and confusion.

I just want to remind us all, God sees. I know it hurts. I know it is hard. I know hearts and minds fill with questions. But I also know that God is using every detail to get us to where He wants us to go. Even when everything touching our lives seems too cruel to fathom, being allowed by a loving God, we cannot let it destroy our faith. If we do, Satan wins, and I for one do not want him to be victorious.

Several years ago, for a course I was taking at Heritage College and Seminary, I prepared a message entitled, "Redeeming Rain: Finding Purpose and Joy in the Storms of Life." The key text was taken from Philippians 1:12-18, as Paul encouraged the readers to believe that everything that happens helps to spread the Gospel of Christ if we surrender each circumstance to God, for Him to use all for His glory. Through the passage I shared four key purposes: a redeeming mission, redeeming moxie, redeeming motives and redeeming message, all because of one key component. We have a Redeemer. Not only can He save and rescue us, providing in desperate times, but His desire through all things is to redeem us from a life of sin because of what He accomplished on the cross in our place. Maybe more than being rescued from a "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day", we need a rescue from a life that needs to be redeemed. Won't you come to Him today, acknowledging your sin, and respond to His invitation of salvation? As I've quoted from my friend Lina Abujamra before, "God is more than enough for your not enough."