Walls: March 26, 2014

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY MARCH 26, 2014.

WALLS

DEFINITION:

Structures to enclose, to separate, support or protect.

SCRIPTURE:

And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned by fire. Nehemiah 2:13.

KNOWLEDGEAND EXPERIENCE:

A wall is a very symbolic structure. Down through the ages walls were built to protect the people and things inside the walls. But walls are more than just a barrier of stone and mortar. The walls of the city of Jericho symbolized the pride and arrogance of that godless city and that is one reason why God chose to pull them down with nothing but the faith of the Children of Israel and Joshua, their leader. The arrogance of Jericho was no match for the humility of God’s people when it was aligned with the limitless power of God.

The Berlin wall not only symbolized the division between east and west, but also the misery and despair of the people living under communism. The 1500 mile long wall of China symbolized the vast power of the Chin Dynasty and was built to defend China from the warring tribes of the north. It was so long and tall that it made a clear statement, “Do not even think of invading our land.”

In ancient cities, massive walls were the first, last and only line of defense. The walls of the city of Babylon, according to Daniel, were not as long as the Great Wall of China but were much higher and more massive. 

The wall that Nehemiah went to look at by night, verse above, was the wall around Jerusalem that God had called him to rebuild. And it had even a deeper spiritual meaning than any of the other walls ever built. The walls of Jerusalem were symbolic of God’s protection and power. The rebuilding of these walls around Jerusalem, symbolizes an act that must be taken by everyone who is spiritually broken down. They must rebuild the walls of their lives.

For the Jewish people Jerusalem represented God’s dwelling place and the center of life in the Old Testament. It was in Jerusalem that Solomon built a temple and God blessed it with His presence.  From the time of Abraham, Jewish history centered in and around Jerusalem.

In the New Testament, we see that God’s ultimate dwelling place is in us, His people. If we have allowed the walls of our spiritual life to become broken down now is the time to rebuild our wall of faith and surround ourselves with God’s protection and strength. 

There were 5 steps that Nehemiah shares with us that he took in the process of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. We need to adhere to these same steps as we rebuild the walls of our lives.

First, Nehemiah had a CONCERN about the ruins. We will never rebuild the walls of our lives unless we have a concern and mourn the ruins of our lives, just as Nehemiah mourned the ruins of the wall at Jerusalem.

Secondly, Nehemiah wept and prayed for days over his concern for the way that the nation of Israel had forsaken God. He prayed and CONFESSED the sins of his people and asked God for forgiveness. We need to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness if we are to rebuild the walls of our spiritual lives.

Thirdly, Nehemiah was COMMITTED. He didn’t just pray. He got to work and took immediate steps to fulfill his commitment. When we take the time to pray God will empower us to solve “impossible” situations. Rebuilding the wall would have not been possible without God’s enabling power. 

Fourthly, Nehemiah needed COURAGE to rebuild these walls. Nehemiah was mocked and threatened but he did not give up because he knew God was directing him. Whenever one says that they will arise and rebuild, Satan always responds by saying that he will arise and destroy. We can be sure that Satan will put roadblocks and obstructions in our way when we start to return to God by building up our faith as a wall of protection against Satan’s temptations. We must be courageous and not give up. 

Finally, Nehemiah approached the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem with CONFIDENCE. He did not just rush out and start laying bricks or recruiting people to help. He went out at night and secretly surveyed the damage to the wall to determine exactly what needed to be done. In spite of the enormity of the task he inspired the Jews to be confident they could rebuild the walls because the “hand of God was upon them.” When he was ridiculed Nehemiah confidently replied, “The God of heaven will give us success.” Nehemiah 2:20. We will be ridiculed by those who do not believe, but we can have confidence that the almighty God of heaven will give us success just as He did Nehemiah if we put our trust in Him.

We can learn by these 5 steps as we work to rebuild the walls around our lives. Start by reading the Bible and then communicating to God through prayer. You will be amazed at what God will do through you if you just trust and obey.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is the first of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:3.

“You shall have no other gods before Me.”

PRAYER:

Give me the courage of Nehemiah as I work to rebuild the walls of my faith. Help me to be willing to follow Your leading in all that I do as I work diligently to serve You in this evil world that we live in