Day 225

Nehemiah 5:14-7:60; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 21:8-10

Building A Wall

So often in our dealing with people who are in need of compassion, we see a need to “tear down the wall” that surrounds them. The defense mechanism so many people choose is the building of a wall around their heart. It is hard to reach anyone who cannot trust or will not reveal their soul. But here in Nehemiah we find ourselves cheering for the people as they rebuild the wall around Jerusalem.

In spite of ridicule, threats, and lies from the surrounding kingdoms, the wall is finally erected. So, is a wall then a good thing? In a study I researched for a project on Nehemiah and the Wall, I found this article from Sermon Notebook:

“God wants us to be in the wall building business! I wonder what the Lord could do with us if we all determined that we would be all that He has called us to be? What could He do if His church took a stand for the things of God and refused to back down? What could He do if we determined to revive and protect old fashioned worship? What could He do if we were all the way His? He took a determined Martin Luther and sparked the Protestant Reformation. He took a determined D.L. Moody and shook two continents. He took a rag tag group of disciples and turned the world upside down. What can He do with us? The possibilities are only limited by what we are determined to do, and to allow Him to do, in our lives!”

Maybe there is a time when we should build a wall – not to hide in our own world, but to shield ourselves from the enemy and his ways and to stand up for our God.

The Rev. Ed Bartle