Chaplain Doug writes:
I shared this devotional with the Living Shield Board of Directors, as part of my Chaplaincy role during a meeting … sharing it as a vision of what Chaplaincy and Living Shield are. I was told it encouraged and moved them as a Board and a ministry.
I used the biblical examples starting in Numbers, Chapter 16, verse 48.
Moses had come down Mount Sinai, and brought the Lord’s commandments with him. He saw that Aaron and the people had fashioned a calf made of gold to worship. God called out their sin and the others sins they committed against Him. Eventually HE had to send a plague among them for their actions and lack of faith. Moses told Aaron to take a censor with incense, around to the people so they could be saved, and in Verse 48, it says “that Moses and Aaron, stood between the dead and the living,” so the Plague was halted.
Moses stood in the gap between life and death for God’s people, and they were saved. A foreshadowing of the example of the work Jesus completed on the cross.
One definition of Standing in the Gap from a Biblical perspective is “to expose oneself, for the protection of something or someone else.”
It also means that you put yourself in the Middle of the battlefield, in the place of a wounded brother or sister.
In Ezekiel Chapter 22 as the prophet lists the Sins of Jerusalem, The Lord speaks through him, and witnesses against His people for the Idols they have worshipped and the blood they have shed, and He pronounces Judgement to fall upon them for their various sins. He said he is going to Judge them, and their Priests, for leading them into these things.
In verse 30, God makes a statement. He said . “So I sought for a man among them, who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me, on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”
This moved me… deeply… and how God ministered to me…
“When I read this, it broke my heart,” I said to the board.
“That no one was prepared to stand in the gap, so that wrath could be held back from the people. As I thought about this it led me to think about what we do in Chaplaincy, and in serving others who are hurting, feeling lost and apart from God, and of course, as we are bringing Hope.“
I continued to share, “When we stand in the Gap, we are making a commitment to our God, that we are willing to stand for a wounded brother or sister. That we are willing to fight in this great spiritual battle, therefore standing for those who are lost, between life and death, loss and Hope.”
My prayer, as I shared and prayed, was that:
“God would never again look at the world and be able to say that He could find no one willing to stand in the gap.”
Our prayer, our mission here at Living Shield, as we train, educate and support Chaplains… is the same.
May there always be someone, trained and ready, to stand in the gap for those who are hurting, bringing Hope. A Living shield, bridging the secular with the spiritual.
“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one” ~ Ezekiel 22:30 NIV
Polishing Skills in Chaplaincy
Explore common questions about the role of listening in chaplaincy and how to improve these essential skills.
Why is taking responsibility important?
Taking responsibility is essential for a chaplain because it ensures one provides consistent, ethical, and compassionate care to those in need, fostering trust and emotional healing. By being responsible in preparation for the role, chaplains model integrity, moral leadership, and accountability, guiding others through crisis and spiritual challenges.
How can I improve in advocating for others in need?
A chaplain can improve in advocating for others by preparing through Chaplain Training. After deployment, focus on the goal of actively listening to the unique needs and concerns of those served. Additionally, Chaplains can seek out resources, build networks of support, and speak up for marginalized or overlooked individuals, amplifying togetherness with compassion.
Why is strength and character important to step forward?
Strength and character are crucial for chaplains to step forward because these attributes may provide the resilience needed to navigate difficult and emotionally charged situations with compassion, grace, confidentiality and integrity. A chaplain’s strength in God enables them to offer support in times of crisis to the grieving, with trust, care and the best of ethical standards.
How is the initial contribution of listening to a person in crisis significant?
Listening helps individuals in many different domains. It helps them feel heard and valued, reduces their stress, and provides a sense of support and validation. The process of sharing their story increases their cognition, which with high emotion becomes lowered. “Emotion up, cognition down!” It brings about more balance within the individual to move from feeling to thinking.
What are some common barriers to standing in the gap?
Personal common barriers for a chaplain to standing in the gap include distractions of the day, preconceived notions of volunteering, personal fear-based emotional reactions, lack of empathy, burnout (ie, emotional overwhelmed), and the poor ranking of important personal or community goals. External common barriers for chaplains to standing in the gap may include lack of support, lack of available community resources, and the lack of training from experienced chaplains.