STAND IN THE GAP

TEXT: JEREMIAH 10:17-25

Key Verse: “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23)

Jeremiah seems to go into a dialogue with a personification of Jerusalem. In the dialogue, the inhabitants of the city were commanded to take up their baggage for they were going on a journey into exile. The expression – “sling out the inhabitants” – indicates that God threw the inhabitants of Jerusalem like stones from a sling into distant lands. The city responded with dismay; mourning her loss and calamity. She complained about her leaders who did not think it wise to gather the flock.

In the given Bible passage, Jeremiah talks about the sudden destruction that was coming upon Jerusalem for the consistent iniquities of the people. The calamity was to make “the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons”. A serious commotion was heard from the north, indicating that the armies that would mete out God’s judgement were on their way to the city. In view of the calamity that was coming upon the people and Jerusalem, Jeremiah was humbled to pray.

Although he saw the evil which had been determined against the city, he did not resign himself to fate. He went into prayer, asking God for mercy. He pleaded on behalf of the people. He respectfully asked God to correct him, but not in His (God’s) anger or with judgement.

As believers, we are under obligation to stand in the gap for sinners around us and for our dear country. By every standard, the society has gone away from the way of God and His principles. Yet, we must go beyond lamenting the pitiable condition of the country; we must ask God to intervene and have mercy. The antidote to the prevailing spiritual decay and death around us is not in reclining into passivity and self-righteousness but in strident cries to the Most High for His mercy and forgiveness. Knowledge comes with responsibility. Act now!

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It is unwise to sulk in the face of challenges when we ought to earnestly pray.

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COVER to COVER: 1 KINGS 1-2; PSALMS 37; 71; 94

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PONDER:

1. The judgements on Judah are in v18,20,22. Do we still have such things happening to nations today?
2. God's impartiality God drove out the Canaanites because of their sins. He did the same to His people when they committed the same evil. A "sinning saint" is not better than a shameless sinner. Romans 2:3.
3. The Bible put the whole blame on the pastors v21, and of course, including God's children. Why? It is the same today.
4. No man is programmed/created to direct himself. He must be directed from outside him - God, Satan, friends, etc. Only the deceived intellectuals claim they are governed by their own mind or reason. Their minds and reasoning are influenced by forces outside them. The best is to be directed by God and His word.

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HYMN: Sweet hour of prayer

1. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
   that calls me from a world of care,
   and bids me at my Father's throne
   make all my wants and wishes known.
   In seasons of distress and grief,
   my soul has often found relief,
   and oft escaped the tempter's snare
   by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

2 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

3 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I'll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

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PRAYER POINTS:

1. Pray for God's mercy on the nation and make a decision to be praying daily for the nation. No alternative to prayers of the saints.
2. Make a decision not to contribute to the evils in the nation but to be a light. Pray for grace.
3. Yield yourself to be totally under the control of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Spirit to take control of your life and decisions.
4. Ask God to visit His pastors in this nation and purify them to offer holy sacrifices and prayers to God, purge them from covetousness, wake them from slumber and empower them to be bold for the truth.