Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
4/21/2021
The Walls that protect us and the Walls that destroy us
The Walls that protect us and the Walls that destroy us!
Nehemiah was the Jewish leader who supervised the rebuilding of Jerusalem in the mid-5th century bc after his release from captivity by the Persian king Artaxerxes I. He had been a cupbearer and tasted whatever was brought to the king to eat and drink. It was a trusted position. He prayed to God that the King would let him rebuild the city and supply the materials for God had instructed Nehemiah to build a wall around Jerusalem to protect its citizens from enemy attack. You see, God is NOT against building walls! Nehemiah completed that massive project in record time — just 52 days.
Nehemiah encouraged them that God will fight for them; that they should trust God and help each other. Nehemiah was a leader who knew where he was going. Jerusalem was home. He wanted his home, the home of the Jews protected.
Can I ask what kind of wall you have put around your home? Your marriage?. Your children? Your career? Come on, this isn’t far-fetched. You are the priest of your home and that responsibility and that honor falls to you. If you are a single women parent, then that priestly mantle falls to you. Let’s look in the mirror. You have made decisions to build or not build a protective wall around your home. It isn’t really your physical address even though you abide there. I am really talking about the treasures within. Your walk with God is your foundation. It is God’s word. The walls of obedience lay on that foundation of truth. Your roof is your faith that rises to create a shield and a roof over your head.
What about the wall around your heart?
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23
What kind of walls have your built?
The walls of hurt from betrayal, heartbreak, rejection, anger, unforgiveness? You may be a believer of Murphys Law. Are you sensitive or hypersensitive? Do your feeling get hurt easily or do you wear the “I’m fine” mask?
When our feelings get hurt, what typically follows are the emotions and self-critical thoughts that tear down our self-confidence, fueling our deepest insecurities, which create conflict in our closest and dearest relationships. One hurt and one thrown stone at a time we have built walls that close us in and isolate us from God and family.
Guarding our hearts to many is protecting ME.
But the reality is; it keeps others from getting too close and kept my trust level in the basement. The fruit of that stole my peace and joy and even keeps one from being close to God.
Solomon’s view of protection was much different. Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” It means to be alert, through the power of God the Holy Spirit, of what goes in and out of our heart. Being aware of WORDS. Our words shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions and impact the spiritual health of your heart.
The walls we put up to protect ourselves are not the same as God’s. God’s walls of Truth, are built on his stones of peace and forgiveness. Love and acceptance. Letting Gods word lead you to obedience and the building of your faith. Hebrew 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please him. God is the rewarder and protector of those who do”. When in prayer, we cry out for wisdom, God will not give a snake to one of his children. He said your power will come to your in prayer, communicating with God for his direction in building His wall around your life. Your home. Your family.
Lord help me to rebuild my walls. Some have fallen through neglect. Others I have built out of my own hurt and insecurities. Lord forgive me for the words that have kept me in and from receiving your strength and grace to show forth your love and mercies.
Casting Crown Voice of Truth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwsvqVmFV6Y
