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.”
Isaiah 1:9 “Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.”
Isaiah 58:12 “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”
Matthew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
At times it is easy to lament the state of our society. We are quick to bemoan our situation and condemn our culture. In many ways, we are right to do so. Yet, sometimes our pessimism and fatalism are so strong that they drown out our hope and dampen our faith.
Let me provide a brief counter-narrative that has given me a boost for the last decade every time I tend towards doubt and dismay.
In March 2013, Pastor Mike Creed and Chuck Harding started a ministry known as Capitol Connection, bringing Christians together at an annual conference in Washington, D.C. to connect the people of God to the people of government. They distribute Bibles, they pray with legislators, and they encourage leaders. Over time, thanks to the help of Brad Cranston, this national activity has spun off analogs at the state level.
Also in March 2013, while serving on the mission field in Papua New Guinea, Pastor Brad Wells heard a sermon from his protegee out of Jonah 1:2 – “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.” As a result, he was convicted that he and his family were to leave their mission field for another one in Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill.
Also in March 2013, I was led to start the PLUS ministry, with a firm conviction from Esther 4:14b – “and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
God’s masterful plan started three ministries in this great city at one time. While I don’t know His purpose for doing so, I can reasonably conclude that He was looking for faithful people to make up a hedge and stand in the gap. He was providing a very small remnant. He was making a down payment to repair the breach and restore the paths. He was providing a spark of light in the prevailing darkness. And I suspect He wouldn’t do so if there was not a powerful reason for hope and optimism for our country while God remains ultimately in control!
PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE THREE MINISTRIES IN THE GREAT CITY OF WASHINGTON, D.C., AND THAT THEIR IMPACT WOULD SHAPE OUR NATION AND BRING US BACK TO A FOUNDATION OF FAITH. God may be setting the stage for a repairing and a restoring at the national level that would be miraculous.
