January 4, 2025

Standing in the Gap

Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. Then the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; and His own righteousness, it sustained Him (Isaiah 59:14–16).

God is not pleased at injustice nor when truth and righteousness do not prevail. When He sees those who turn from evil becoming a prey, He is not happy.

I remember a young man who had lived a particularly sordid life. He heard the gospel and had an amazing conversion experience. Within a month or so of accepting Christ, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

What happened? He departed from evil and became a prey! God was not responsible for his situation, nor was He pleased.

Why did it happen? At least part of the answer is found in verse 16. There was no man serving as an intercessor. No one was keeping a hedge of protection around that young man through prayer.

Before and after people turn from evil we need to intercede to God on their behalf.

I challenge you today to be one of those who stands in the gap and makes up the hedge for new babes in Christ. May God find pleasure in you and me as we take our position as intercessors.

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January 4, 2025

Standing in the Gap

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