“And I sought a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Therefore have I poured out My indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their own way have I repaid [by bringing it] upon their own heads, says the Lord God.” Ezek 22:30-31 (Amplified)
You will undoubtedly have heard the story of the industrious little red hen who when she found a few grain of wheat urged her friends to join her in planting it. The reply from each of her friends was, ‘Not me!’. At the time of harvest, she again asked her friends for help in harvesting and the necessary processing to convert the grain to flour and received the same negative response. So, she did everything herself. After the grain had been milled into flour, the little red hen again implored her friends by asking ‘Who would bake bread with me?’ It was the same response, ‘Not me! So she baked the bread after which she set it on the table and asked, ‘Who would eat with me? This time the response was different as all her friend cried out `Me, Me, Me! To which the little red hen replied, ‘Oh, not you. I shall eat it up by myself!’
When it concerns praying for God’s merciful intervention in order to ward off the demand of His justice and instead attract His blessings, the above story certainly has a resonance. It is not uncommon for people to state their desire to intercede for God’s move, but after all is said and done, all is said, but nothing is actually done. It is all words and no action. The Scripture is quite clear as to what happens when no one heeds God’s call for intercessors. His judgement is guaranteed. However, will it not be unjust of a just God to equitably reward all when not all have sacrificed equally? If the majority of people cannot be bothered to take the time to sow in righteousness and God still responded to the cries of the few and averted His judgement, what right have those who did nothing to expect the same blessings as those who toiled? The simple answer is none, for the bible says that whatever a man sows that shall he reap. God has proven time and time again that He does not have to wrought victory through the many. He will do the same with the available few.
This is a sad scenario that is repeated everywhere irrespective of the culture. When you ask, ‘Who wants to be blessed by God?’ You will have innumerable enthusiastic takers shouting Me! Me! Me! But, if the question is, ‘Who will sow in intercession? You will probably not hear a verbal ‘Not me’, but as they say, actions speak louder than words. It is always a struggle to fill our prayer meetings because praying is never glamorous and as someone said, it is never for the lazy. Its reward is not always instantaneous and you probably won’t get commendations for your toil. Yet, it is a necessary task and someone must do it. Will that person be you? God is waiting on you and His desire is that you will answer, Lord, here am I, use me. Your rewards are not just awaiting you in heaven, but you will first enjoy the fruit of your labour here on earth before continuing same in heaven. Say yes to God and do whatever He says.
Prayer:
Lord, as an individual, I join the many who are saying yes to your will of interceding for a sinful world. Clothe me with the Spirit of prayer and enable me to wage war on the powers of Satan ruling the world. Cause your kingdom to come through me in Jesus name. Amen