Have you ever known someone to stumble in life, felt that familiar pang of disappointment, and quickly jumped to judgment? It's almost a reflex, isn't it? We see someone fall from grace, and our immediate reaction is to distance ourselves, criticize, or even write them off entirely. But what if, instead of judging, we prayed for them? In the Bible, Job speaks of this very thing. In Job 16:21, he cries out for someone to "plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour." This verse challenges us to pause and consider the power of intercession over criticism.
Job, in his deepest suffering, longed for someone to stand in the gap and plead his case before God—a friend who would pray instead of judge. How many of the people we've seen stumble, rather than facing judgment, have simply wished for that same support in their darkest moments? Imagine the difference it would make if, instead of condemning, we chose to intercede for them with compassion and prayer. Rather than letting judgment be our first reaction, what if we transformed that instinct into heartfelt intercession?
Job's cry for intercession challenges us to look at how we respond when others stumble. But we don’t have to look far to find examples of those who exemplified this kind of selfless support. Moses, for instance, provides a powerful picture of standing in the gap for others.
When the Israelites turned away from God, Moses didn't call for their destruction; instead, he consistently interceded, pleading for mercy on their behalf. We read in Psalm 106:23 that Moses "stood before God in the breach" even when their rebellion caused him deep frustration and pain. Moses demonstrated that true friendship and leadership are about stepping into difficult situations with others and offering support and grace rather than condemnation. Yet, this willingness to intercede for others has become increasingly rare in today's culture.
Consider the broader societal tendency to condemn rather than restore. I've heard of pastors who made some poor financial decisions. Instead of offering grace and support, many in their community rushed to judgment and called for their resignation. But several times, I've chosen a different path—choosing kindness and seeking to understand their lack of training in financial ethics. In one instance, when I personally knew the pastor, I walked alongside him to try to help him find solutions, focusing on his growth rather than his downfall. With this support, I firmly believe that more individuals can be redeemed, learn from their errors, and become stronger leaders in their community with newfound wisdom.
Many churches mistakenly place their pastors on pedestals, overlooking their humanity and the struggles they share like the rest of us. Once a pastoral friend was facing marital strife. When this pastor encountered challenges in his marriage, many in the church began whispering about him. Their judgment led to his forced removal from position; sadly, some believed his struggles disqualified him and his wife from service. Rather than joining the chorus of judgment, I chose to support him through prayer, sending him text messages of encouragement, and even meeting with him over a delightful lunch. Over time, he found healing for himself and his marriage. Eventually, he resumed serving God in another church, using his experience to bless others facing complex challenges and transforming his struggles into a powerful testimony of God's grace and restoration.
This leads us to an important question: Why do we rush to judgment instead of retreating to our prayer closets to seek grace? We often criticize and issue swift judgments, yet we hesitate to plead with God for those we judge. The Bible repeatedly reminds us to fear and tremble before God, interceding for our friends rather than condemning them. This rush to judgment is not a new problem; sadly, throughout history, God has expressed sorrow, such as in Ezekiel 33:11, when He found no one to stand in the breach for His people to avert their judgment.
While we express sadness or anger when someone falls into sin, yet often our first instinct is to remove them from service or ministry. Instead of rushing to judgment, why not choose to be their friend, kneel beside them, and support their restoration? Everyone deserves the time and space to receive help and rebuild themselves for future service. I, too, have faced similar judgments, being told, "You've sinned. You cannot serve God." Such harsh criticism not only impacts those who stumble but also fractures the community that should be offering love and support.
So why should we strive to be a source of support for others instead of a source of judgment? The Bible warns us to be cautious, lest we fall too (1 Corinthians 10:12). None of us can predict the future or the challenges we may encounter. Who knows what entanglements I or you may face down the road? I pray it doesn't happen, and for that reason, today, I choose to encourage, help, and build up those around me. After all, we never know which side of the table we may find ourselves in the future.
In a world that is so quick to judge, let us choose a different path—one of grace, understanding, and restoration. Instead of casting aside those who stumble, let us be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, embracing others in their struggles and helping them rise again. By shifting our focus from judgment to intercession, we can foster a fellowship characterized by compassion, love, and restoration. In such a space, we can allow healing and growth to flourish. So, remember, we are all on a perilous journey in this fallen world, and we never know when we might need a friend to step in and support us.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
Job, in his deepest suffering, longed for someone to stand in the gap and plead his case before God—a friend who would pray instead of judge. How many of the people we've seen stumble, rather than facing judgment, have simply wished for that same support in their darkest moments? Imagine the difference it would make if, instead of condemning, we chose to intercede for them with compassion and prayer. Rather than letting judgment be our first reaction, what if we transformed that instinct into heartfelt intercession?
Job's cry for intercession challenges us to look at how we respond when others stumble. But we don’t have to look far to find examples of those who exemplified this kind of selfless support. Moses, for instance, provides a powerful picture of standing in the gap for others.
When the Israelites turned away from God, Moses didn't call for their destruction; instead, he consistently interceded, pleading for mercy on their behalf. We read in Psalm 106:23 that Moses "stood before God in the breach" even when their rebellion caused him deep frustration and pain. Moses demonstrated that true friendship and leadership are about stepping into difficult situations with others and offering support and grace rather than condemnation. Yet, this willingness to intercede for others has become increasingly rare in today's culture.
Consider the broader societal tendency to condemn rather than restore. I've heard of pastors who made some poor financial decisions. Instead of offering grace and support, many in their community rushed to judgment and called for their resignation. But several times, I've chosen a different path—choosing kindness and seeking to understand their lack of training in financial ethics. In one instance, when I personally knew the pastor, I walked alongside him to try to help him find solutions, focusing on his growth rather than his downfall. With this support, I firmly believe that more individuals can be redeemed, learn from their errors, and become stronger leaders in their community with newfound wisdom.
Many churches mistakenly place their pastors on pedestals, overlooking their humanity and the struggles they share like the rest of us. Once a pastoral friend was facing marital strife. When this pastor encountered challenges in his marriage, many in the church began whispering about him. Their judgment led to his forced removal from position; sadly, some believed his struggles disqualified him and his wife from service. Rather than joining the chorus of judgment, I chose to support him through prayer, sending him text messages of encouragement, and even meeting with him over a delightful lunch. Over time, he found healing for himself and his marriage. Eventually, he resumed serving God in another church, using his experience to bless others facing complex challenges and transforming his struggles into a powerful testimony of God's grace and restoration.
This leads us to an important question: Why do we rush to judgment instead of retreating to our prayer closets to seek grace? We often criticize and issue swift judgments, yet we hesitate to plead with God for those we judge. The Bible repeatedly reminds us to fear and tremble before God, interceding for our friends rather than condemning them. This rush to judgment is not a new problem; sadly, throughout history, God has expressed sorrow, such as in Ezekiel 33:11, when He found no one to stand in the breach for His people to avert their judgment.
While we express sadness or anger when someone falls into sin, yet often our first instinct is to remove them from service or ministry. Instead of rushing to judgment, why not choose to be their friend, kneel beside them, and support their restoration? Everyone deserves the time and space to receive help and rebuild themselves for future service. I, too, have faced similar judgments, being told, "You've sinned. You cannot serve God." Such harsh criticism not only impacts those who stumble but also fractures the community that should be offering love and support.
So why should we strive to be a source of support for others instead of a source of judgment? The Bible warns us to be cautious, lest we fall too (1 Corinthians 10:12). None of us can predict the future or the challenges we may encounter. Who knows what entanglements I or you may face down the road? I pray it doesn't happen, and for that reason, today, I choose to encourage, help, and build up those around me. After all, we never know which side of the table we may find ourselves in the future.
In a world that is so quick to judge, let us choose a different path—one of grace, understanding, and restoration. Instead of casting aside those who stumble, let us be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, embracing others in their struggles and helping them rise again. By shifting our focus from judgment to intercession, we can foster a fellowship characterized by compassion, love, and restoration. In such a space, we can allow healing and growth to flourish. So, remember, we are all on a perilous journey in this fallen world, and we never know when we might need a friend to step in and support us.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
