POSTED 08 APRIL, 2005

An Open Gate

by Mark Huey
mhuey@outreachisrael.net

On Monday, April 11, 2005, I will have the privilege of being in Crawford, Texas after spending the weekend at the funeral of my dear friend Richie Martin, a beloved warrior for the Kingdom of God, in New Orleans.

Yesterday, while grieving over and writing about my loss of Richie, I suddenly realized that I would be within a short drive from Texas and have the ability to make the trek to Crawford. There is something about considering the “gates of authority,” which my remembrance of Richie rekindled. It has been some time since I have “stood at the gate” and made any declarations—whether verbal or silent about what is right, wrong, or indifferent.

I plan on doing this in memory of my departed comrade, who was one that did not shrink back from declaring the obvious differences between good and evil. In his lifelong attempt to help establish justice in the gate, I would appreciate your intercessory prayers this weekend for his grieving family as he is laid to rest.

Additionally, I would covet your prayers for the balance of my trip as the second half of the verse that directed my friend’s life has now come alive in the hearts of many around the world, who believe that God is in the process of restoring all Israel:

“Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate! Perhaps the Lord God of hosts may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph” (Amos 5:15).

Many of those gathered in Crawford will probably not be aware of the particulars of verses such as this, and that our Father is indeed restoring His people via the advent of the Messianic movement. I believe that just how and when He accomplishes this is His problem. But, when we have the opportunity and inclination to stand at various gates, perhaps we will see His hand open hearts to who He is and what He is doing:

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1).

It will be interesting to see which way His Spirit flows!

Your prayers will be a blessing, and upon my return to Kissimmee, Lord willing, I will bring you all an eyewitness report.

Blessings and Shabbat Shalom!

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.