Manna in the Morning Man in the Gap
E.A. Johnston emphasizes the urgent need for a godly intercessor who stands in the gap through prayer and faith to turn back God's judgment on a rebellious nation.
In this devotional sermon, E.A. Johnston reflects on Ezekiel 22:30 and the desperate need for a godly intercessor to stand in the gap for a rebellious nation. He vividly describes the spiritual decay of Israel and calls for a man wholly devoted to God whose fervent prayers can turn back judgment. Johnston challenges listeners to recognize the critical role of intercession in today's troubled times and prays for God to raise up such a man.
Full Transcript
Hello friends, this is Manna in the Morning, and our devotion today is Man in the Gap. Our scripture passage is found in the book of Ezekiel in chapter 22 and verse 30. We see in God's word, And I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.
This is a terrible scene described by Jehovah. It was a black period in Israel's history where the nation was in rebellion against God and even their prophets, priests, and princes were corrupt and misleading the people. God declares in our verse today that amidst all that evil, he sought for a man to stand in the gap for the nation and intercede on her behalf before God.
And we find the four terrible words of that empty search, but I found none. The greatest need in our land today is a prophet, a man sent from God, a God's man who will stand in the gap between heaven and earth, between mortal man and almighty God, a holy man who is so wholly sold out to God, so intoxicated with Christ and so consumed with eternity, that his very footprints leave a smoky trail of the lingering fire of God, a man whose desperate life of prayer has left fingerprints on the horns of the altar in glory, a man whose emboldened faith and Enoch-like walk with God moves mountains of resistance and proves that the God of the Bible is alive and interested in the most minute requests of men. I sought for a man among them, God declares.
And in this dark period today in our nation's history, where evil is called good and good evil, God is still looking for a man to stand in the gap that he should not destroy it. Oh, great God, have mercy upon us, raise up your man to stand in the gap at this tragic hour. In the strong name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, amen.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The dark spiritual condition of Israel
- Corruption among leaders and people
- God's search for a man to stand in the gap
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II
- The significance of standing in the gap
- Characteristics of a man wholly devoted to God
- The power of intercessory prayer
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III
- The contemporary need for a man of God
- The consequences of failing to stand in the gap
- A prayer for God to raise up such a man today
Key Quotes
“I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.” — E.A. Johnston
“A holy man who is so wholly sold out to God, so intoxicated with Christ and so consumed with eternity, that his very footprints leave a smoky trail of the lingering fire of God.” — E.A. Johnston
“In this dark period today in our nation's history, where evil is called good and good evil, God is still looking for a man to stand in the gap that he should not destroy it.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Commit to becoming a fervent intercessor who prays for your community and nation.
- Cultivate a holy and devoted life that reflects a deep intimacy with God.
- Recognize the power of standing in the gap to influence spiritual outcomes.