Re-building the Walls

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
Nehemiah 1:1-3:14

Then I said to them, "You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire.  Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach."  Nehemiah 2:17 (NKJV)

Many of the stories that we find in the Old Testament have great meaning to us beyond simple history.  Such it is with the story of Nehemiah. 

Ezra had overseen the rebuilding of Solomon's Temple.  About fifteen years later, Nehemiah arrives to lead in building a wall around the city of Jerusalem.  The Temple stand for worship and relationship with God.  The walls stand for the way we live our life in the world.  Here's the important truth we need to grasp:  It is very possible to have a good vertical relationship with God while in your personal life "the walls are broken down."  You know and love God, but you are constantly under attack and being beaten up by the devil

The message of the book of Nehemiah is that we need to have walls of strength built in our personal lives so that we can live to the glory of God.  When our "walls" are broken down, we are vulnerable and suffer continual set-backs.  When the "walls" are built, we can live in discipline, protection, and hope.

In Nehemiah's day, the walls were built with brick and mortar.  In our day, they are built with forgiveness, healing, truth, integrity, and all the host of Christian virtues.  May you take ground today!  May your defenses be steadfast!  May you grow in grace and truth.  Such is a blessed life.