Standing the Gap

Standing in the Gap! by Paul D. Fisher

The past week we lost a very dear member of our congregation when our dear brother
Argus went home to his reward. Men such as Argus are needed in every congregation of
the Lord's church throughout the whole world, faithful men who stand in the gap and fill
the need. standing in the gap is something that may need explaining, but the scriptures
point out the need. We read in Ezekiel 22:30, "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." God was seeking a man in Israel who was an upright man,
one who would defend Israel by doing God's will.

God said these gap-filling men are men who stand for His word against all odds! It might
be easier for us to understand what is meant by thinking of ancient warfare and the use of
swords and spears. During the battle, a gap in the lines might appear through which an
enemy force could flow through causing much destruction and maybe even victory for
their side. Now, think of the Lord's church. We are the army of God and we are at war
against the devil and his horde of followers. We need men who, because of their stand on
God's Word and experience, stand in the gap and prevent the enemy from overrunning our
camp. Argus was just such a man! He will be sorely missed, but we have others who must
now step up and stand in the gap! Are you training so when the time comes that God
searches for someone to stand in the gap that you will be ready?