Transgressors And Intercessors Series

TRANSGRESSORS AND INTERCESSORS

“30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God." Ezekiel 22:30-31.

Ezekiel wrote those words during a time when the children of Israel had wandered far from God. He had chosen them to be a light to the nations, but they themselves had turned to darkness. The people were transgressors. They knew the will of God but didn’t do it. He's searching for someone who would stand in the gap for them. Sadly, He found no one! Jerusalem is on the verge of destruction. But no one would stand in the gap, so the city would experience the wrath and fury of God. One man or woman, willing to stand in the gap, could have saved a whole nation from judgment, but not even one was found! Isaiah 59:16. In every situation where judgment is expected, God looks for an intercessor who can hold back His judgment. Yet every segment of Jerusalem had been defiled: princes, prophets, priests, and the people. But even so the situation was not completely hopeless. God declared that judgment might yet be avoided if He could find one person to stand in the gap. When King David had sinned, God found Nathan to stand in the gap. When idolatry filled the land in the days of Elijah, God found Elijah to bridged the gap. Samuel stood in the gap for the nation of Israel. Daniel stood in the gap for the deliverance of God's children from Babylonians captivity. When you stand in the gap, you pray for God’s help, mercy, forgiveness, and intervention on behalf of individuals, groups of people or nations. So will you answer His call? Are you willing to stand in the gap? Revival always begin a man or woman of faith! Intercessions provokes genuine revival. "Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me," Romans 15:30. So, are you willing to stand in the gap?

"30 Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31 Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” Exodus 32:30–32.

The redeemed children of Israel had sinned, while Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments. Exodus 32:7–14. God told Moses that the Israelites had turned aside quickly out of the way which He commanded them and He was going to destroy them and start a new nation from Moses. But Moses interceded on their behalf. Psalm 106:23. He presented several reasons why God should not destroy the people. Numbers 14:13-16. He pleaded for mercy, and God answered his prayer. The people are worthy of condemnation. But God showed them mercy. So are you willing to intercede on behalf of family, friends, cities, or government? Will you stand in the gap for those who need God's mercy?

"Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church." Acts 12:5.

A persecution had broken out against the early church in Jerusalem. Herod had already put James, the brother of John, to death. Peter was next. He was held in a maximum security prison. But the church interceded for him. They prayed fervently and "without ceasing" that God would spare Peter's life. The Lord answered their prayer and sent an angel, to release Peter from his cell. God can still deliver the captives today, if the body of Christ will only pray and seek God. "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14.

THE TRANSGRESSORS:

"I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah" Psalm 32:5.

In the beginning, there was no separation between God and humanity; however, after Adam and Eve disobeyed, sin created a gap between God and man. Sin separated us from our Creator. Isaiah 59:1-3. According to Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary sin is an offense. It is any thought, word, or action that is in disobedience to the will of God. Sin is to “falls short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. It is the transgression of the laws, commands, and statues of God. 1 John 3:4; Romans 4:15. So a transgressor is an offender, a violator, or breaker of God's laws. A transgressor is a sinner. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 6:23. And the Bible also declares “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. There can be no meaningful relationship with God until the barrier of sin is removed. Jesus willingly offered His life as the Only acceptable payment for our sins. By His Blood, shed on the Cross at Calvary, He bridged the gap caused by sin. Romans 4:25. He wasn’t a transgressor, yet He stood in the gap for us. Jesus lived a sinless life, yet died on the Cross for our sin! When we confess our sin, He forgives our transgression. So why not come to Jesus today? Admit that you are a sinner. Be willing to repent. Confess and accept God's forgiveness. Believe that Jesus died for you. Invite Him into your life. Once you are saved, however, you need to be placed into a local church where you can be active in the work of God. Read the Word of God daily. Develop your faith. Start each day with prayer. Keep God first place in your life. Stay active in the work of God.