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7. In the Gap or In the Way?

The chase is afoot. The enemy is defeated and fleeing, but somehow confusion and disunity are dividing the Israelites.

Isn’t this true among Christ’s followers today also? Is this not the case among many churches as well? The enemy has been defeated, but as he flees through our culture, he is constantly dividing the house of God. And a house divided within itself cannot stand.

When we compete among ourselves in church for who did it best, disunity forms. When we are more worried about our status than our roles, we feel the effect of confusion. When we abdicate our roles in God’s Kingdom, chaos follows. Instead of working together in advancing the Light, we turn our backs and by default allow the advance of darkness.

We are called to stand in the gap. But too often we get in the way. What’s the difference?

- When you pray over and intercede for your family and friends, you are standing in the gap.

But when you bash them with Bible verses and force the Gospel on them, you are getting in the way.

- When you learn from your parents’ success and failure in preparing to be a better man, you are stepping into the gap.

But when you rebel against your parents you are in the way of your own growth and on track to becoming just the kind of man you don’t want to.

- When you leave your parent’s home and start becoming self-sufficient, you are standing in the gap.

But if you overstay your parent's hospitality and still occupy your childhood room at 30, you are likely in the way.

- When you support your wife and serve your family, you are filling a gap.

But if you still need to do everything for your grown children and never allow your wife to find her own voice and face up to her own challenges as well, you are getting in the way.

- When you teach your children to become self-sufficient and work hard, you are filling a gap for them.

But if you pressure them into adulthood prematurely, you are getting in their way.

- When you lead your household to the Lord, you are standing in the gap.

But when you lead your household as a lord, you are in the way.

Gideon led Israel well until the battle unraveled and the people became divided. Throughout the previous two chapters, we saw Gideon standing in the gap for his people. Yet, in today’s reading, we see all these people getting in each other’s way. At times, getting in God’s way. We even see Gideon prematurely expecting his boy to deal with the things of men. Likely, overcompensating because he himself was still treated as a boy well into manhood as the ‘least in his father’s house.’ (Judges 6:15).

When men, husbands, and fathers misunderstand their roles, chaos and confusion ensue in families.
When we as a church misunderstand our role in God’s Kingdom, disunity and darkness will resurface.

Read Judges 8:1-21 and Reflect on the Following

1. What are the gaps in society men need to start stepping into?

2. How can you discern between standing in the gap, and getting in the way?

3. What do you need to pray about today?