The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands
in moments of comfort and convenience,
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Martin Luther King Jr.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that doing nothing in troubled times is not a viable option. Martin Niemöller (January 14, 1892 – March 6, 1984) was a German theologian and Lutheran pastor. He said this.
First they went after the Communists,
and I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist.
Then they went after the homosexuals and infirm,
and I did not stand up, because I was neither.
Then they went after the Jews,
and I did not stand up, because I was not a Jew.
Then they went after the Catholics,
and I did not stand up, because I was Protestant.
Finally, they went after me,
and there was no one left to stand up for me.
Martin Niemoller
We could add, “They came for the immigrants … the transgender … the Moslems …” And they will keep coming. It is time to take a stand.
[God says] “I looked for someone who might rebuild
the wall of righteousness that guards the land.
I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall
so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.
Ezekiel 22:30 NLT
What do we do in that gap? Pray. Any of God’s people can do that. All of God’s people should do that.
Rejoice in our confident hope.
Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Romans 12:12 NLT
This is more an invitation, than a command. But I wonder what blessings we may miss if we refuse to stand, together, in the gap.
God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible–
what a pity that we plan only the things that we can do by ourselves.
A. W. Tozer