The Doorpost: Looking for someone to stand in the breach
By Ray King · Oct 23, 2013
And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.
Ezekiel 22:30
What is your reaction when you see someone commit a sin? Do you get angry? Maybe you think to yourself, “They’ll be sorry. God will teach them a lesson.” Or perhaps you think, “Anyone who does that deserves to be judged.”
The passage above shows that God doesn’t think like that at all. He isn’t looking for an opportunity to judge or destroy. (If He was, none of us would be here today.) God wants people to repent and turn from their wicked ways so He won’t have to destroy them. In order for this to happen, someone must “stand in the gap” for them.
How do we “stand in the breach”? Matthew 5:44 says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you …” Luke 6:28 tells us, “… bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” If this is what we are to do for our enemies, how much more should we also want to do this for others?
Whenever we become aware that someone has sinned, we can know that God is looking for someone to “stand in the breach” for the person who has sinned. He does not want to destroy them. He wants to save them. He gave His only begotten Son to save them. We should want the same thing God wants.
Whether it is a family member, someone at church, a neighbor, a business associate or co-worker, an elected official, a celebrity, or even a total stranger, our first reaction should be to pray for that person, asking God to rescue them from the path of destruction and turn them to Himself. There may be further actions that God wants us to take, but we know we should start with intercession for that person. Only after we have prayed can we do more than pray.
“And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.” Is He finding you and me standing in the breach today?