PROTECTING THE INNOCENT – PURGING THE GUILTY
There are many good pastors and preachers in many good Bible-based churches in America. But there are very few courageous and Godly men left in the pulpits in America.
Courageous men who are filled with the Holy Spirit and unafraid to speak the truth of God’s Word but, they rarely speak in anger or out of frustration. They do not seek to teach for the sake of knowing. They do not seek to make a name for themselves, and they certainly do not preach to entertain.
This type of man speak hard truth, and in doing so, he is patient and kind. He is not jealous; and does not brag, and he is not arrogant. He does not act disgracefully, does not seek his own benefit; and is not easily provoked. He does not keep an account of wrongs suffered. He does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; He keeps confidence in God, believes all things true. His hope is fixed firmly on Christ, so he is able to endure all things.
This rare man stands in the gap. Ezekiel 22:30 the Lord says, “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land, so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” The word picture painted in this verse is that of a wall with a hole or a gap in it. A wall was the best means of protection in ancient times. A breach in the wall would let the enemy through. If there was a breach in the wall, defenders would have to swarm to that location and hold the breach. The gap would need to be repaired as soon as possible. If a breach was left unattended or unrepaired, the city would fall.
Ezekiel 22 summarizes the sins and abuses of the nation. As punishment for Israel’s sins, God says He will disperse them among the nations. He says in verses 31, “So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
The “gap” here represents the danger facing Jerusalem: God’s wrath is about to break through in judgment on the sinful city. Was there no one who would, in righteousness, intercede on behalf of the city and seek God’s mercy? God searched for such a defender, but He could find none. It seems that, if someone had been willing to “stand in the gap,” the destruction of Jerusalem could have been avoided. Since no one was available or willing to defend the breach and rebuild the wall, judgment fell.
America has fallen into gross sin and rebellion toward God and is facing God’s judgment. Listen to this sermon by pastor Trent Casto, a man who preaches the truth of God’s Word without fear is a man who is willing to Stand in the Gap in our day. Listen carefully.
Senior Pastor Trent Casto, Covenant Church of Naples, P.C.A., 6926 Trail Boulevard, Naples, Florida, 34108, phone 239-597-3464, convenantnaples.com.
(Excerpts printed with permission.)
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young