Several months ago, as I was reading my Bible the Lord brought to my attention the book of Ezekiel, specifically, chapter 22 and verses 30 and 31.  I have four phrases underlined in verse 30, and one in verse 31.  I venture to say they are probably underlined or highlighted in your Bible as well.  In rereading them the Lord brought several things to my mind that I would like to share with you now.   

v. 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.

v. 31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.

In the first part of v. 30 – “I sought for a man,” “among them,”  “to stand in the gap”  In these two verses we see:

1. The Pursuit-  God was in pursuit.  He sought for a man

2. The Place – among his own.  God was looking for a man among his own and the last part of v. 30 – “but I found none”  

Why? Sadly, we are living in a time where we become so busy we end up as the old adage says “coming as we are, doing as we please and leaving as we came.” 

Next, we see 

1. The Plan- He sought for someone that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap.   Lastly, we see

2. The Purpose- That I should not destroy it 

God gives in the Word of God, the greatest judgment when he says in verse 31c; “their own way have I recompensed upon their heads…”  This is when God withdraws His Presence, His power, and His leading from us.  He is giving us what we want, and that is to live as we want, to live without the commitment of service.

How many times have we read this verse and thought we need more great preachers, more evangelists or more missionaries!  Have we ever looked at ourselves to see how we could be the one God is looking for to stand in the gap: to be a part of that hedge?

Ladies, God is still searching.  God is searching for ladies in our homes to stand in the gap, to be a part of the hedge between our homes and the world.  

God is still searching… 

1. For feminine women.  Titus 2:5 tells us “to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home”

2. For women of conviction.

3. For women who know doctrine

4. For women with compassion for all- Jude 22 “And some have compassion, making a difference:”

5. For women of courage- Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

1. Courage to stand- Ephesians 5:11-16 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.”

2.  Courage to follow- Ephesians 5:1-2 “Be ye followers of God as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering an a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.

3. Courage to finish- Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  1Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

1. For women of obedience- Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.  25: For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

2. For women with consecration (pure heart and clean hands)- Ephesians 5:8-10 “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of the light:  (for the fruit of the Spirit is in al goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.”

Well January 2021 is here…A new year has begun!  Our world, our country, our churches, our homes, as well as our personal lives have been affected b y the happenings around us.   We have lost loved ones. We have lost jobs. We have lost our privilege to worship in our churches. Our country is in turmoil….And God is still searching.

We have a new year ahead of us; what are we going to do with it?