“Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”
From the Bible days, and decades ago when D.L. Moody made the above statement, till our present times… a search still goes on.
The search for A Man.
If our homes, churches, nation, society and generation must experience a transformation, we need A Man.
More research, discoveries, books, courses, wealth, security, religious gatherings, teachings, preachings… isn’t enough.
God needs a man.
And that man is not just your pastor, religious leader, political leader, influencer, or some world-acclaimed “movers and shakers” – YOU are the man.
Or rather, you can be The Man, if you read through this, and decide to.
The Reality Of Our Depraved World
Have you walked through a day without some bad stories filtering into your ears?
I’m sure your answer is the same as mine – NO.
We hear of killings, kidnappings, immorality, theft, wickedness, and abominations of various kinds.
And most times, instead of sitting back to think of how you and I can be instruments of transformation, we rather complain, point accusing fingers, and worse still, give up – give up on the thought of anything good coming out of the present situation.
Our present times can be likened to the days in which Ezekiel wrote about… when God as well “sought for a man.”
“The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.
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.” (Ezekiel 22: 29, 30)
May that last statement not be our lot. May He find you and I. Just like other men and women in the Bible and contemporary times, who said “Yes, Lord. Here am I!”
Lessons From Men and Women Who Stood In The Gap
The bible is filled with stories of men and women who stood in the gap for their generation. They not only stood in the gap, but they were also mirrors of what it means to “stand out in a depraved world.” The evil and corruption of their days didn’t soil them up. They lived differently. They acted differently.
Their lives teach us how we can be such A Man.
- Moses: “And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax against thy people… And the Lord repented of all the evil which He thought to do unto His people.” (Exodus 32: 11,14) The children of Israel sinned against God over and over. God was displeased. He allowed serpents and enemies to sting them. And at another time, He wanted to wipe them out. But Moses stood in the gap, praying, pleading, even asking God to blot his name out of the Book instead. What a man! And oh, the result of His prayers till this day. What will the world be like without the Israelites?
2. Deborah:
“The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose a mother in Israel.” (Judges 5:7)
In this period of the Judges, the children of Israel swayed into bouts of disobedience to God, affliction comes, then they cry out to God, and God raises a judge to deliver them.
At this time, stagnant and stale in the land. And no one seemed to know what to do. But Deborah, without doubt, inspired by the Spirit, arose… a prophetess and mother in Israel. She judged the people. And awakened others to get into the field, fight and conquer their enemies.
3. Esther:
“…I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4: 16)
This Jewish girl, married to a pagan king, found herself in a tight corner – risking her life to go speak to the king on behalf of her people who had a death sentence hanging over their heads. She was the needed “man.”
And thank God she didn’t allow fear to stop her from stepping out. Her prayers and actions saved the Jews from death and led to the extermination of their enemy, as well as the exaltation of God’s people.
4. David:
“And David said to Saul, let no man’s heart fail him because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17: 32)
Goliath challenged God’s people, asking for a man to face him. Young David, the man who knows his God (he shall be strong and do exploits)… he stepped out – I will be the man. Imagine the look of pity and disgust on everyone’s face as he talked of going to confront Goliath.
Most likely, they just allowed him to try his luck since no one else was willing to go. And he went in the strength of his Lord. The Man.
From the exploits of these biblical characters (and others who we couldn’t mention here), we find one underlying principle.
Exactly what D.L. Moody stated in that quote:
“Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”
A kneeling figure.
These men and women had a relationship with God. That is how to stand out!
They communed with God. They were men and women of prayer. And because they touched heaven on their knees, they could change the earth.
Friend, God is still searching for a man today.
Yes, we know of people like D.L. Moody, Charles Spurgeon, William and Catherine Booth, W.F. Kumuyi, Esther Kumuyi… (You can keep adding to the list.)
But God still needs someone else.
He needs YOU.
That’s the reason he sent you to the place called earth – at such a time as this.
He deposited something unique inside you. A parcel you ought to deliver to this world. An assignment. A talent. A duty.
You can’t do it just on your feet, running helter-skelter, caught up in the world’s rat race. Or with some earthly wisdom.
You’ve got to be a man of “your knees.”
Which begins first, by confessing your sins and making Jesus your Lord and Saviour. And then continuing in daily communion with Him.
Rise up to the call today. Pray. Seek direction from God. Run forward and act!
The world awaits your impact.
Heaven is counting on you.
And someday yonder, you’ll hear our Father say, “Thank you for being The Man.” What a blessing that will be!
Or do you want to hear Him say, “I sought for a man (in you) but could find none?”
The choice is yours. What steps will you take now to be The Man?
Do share your thoughts in the comment section… so you can challenge and encourage some else to be the man.
