by Charles R. Swindoll
Read 1 Kings 16:29-17:1
God looks for special people at difficult times. God needed a special
man to shine the light in the blackness of those days. But God didn't find him
in the palace or the court. He didn't find him walking around with his head
down in the school of the prophets. He didn't even find him in the homes of the
ordinary people. God found him in Tishbeh, of all places. A man who would stand
in the gap couldn't be suave or slick; he had to be rugged—soft-hearted with a
tough hide.
God looked for somebody who had the backbone to stand alone. Someone
who had the courage to say, "That's wrong!" Someone who could stand
toe to toe with an idolatrous king and his wicked wife and proclaim, "God
is God."
I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in
the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no
one. (Ezek. 22:30)
In our culture—our schools, our offices and factories, our lunchrooms
and boardrooms, our halls of ivy and our halls of justice—we need men and women
of God, including young people of God. We need respected professionals,
athletes, homemakers, teachers, public figures, and private citizens who will
promote the things of God, who will stand alone—stand tall, stand firm, stand
strong!
How's your stature? How's your integrity? Have you corrupted your
principles just to stay in business? To get a good grade? To make the team? To
be with the "in" crowd? To earn the next rank or promotion? Have you
winked at language or behaviour that a few years ago would have horrified you?
Are you, right now, compromising morally because you don't want to be
considered a prude?
Those who find comfort in the court of Ahab can
never bring themselves to stand in the gap with Elijah.
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