We Need a Wall

I’ve finished Ezra and am now reading Nehemiah, for some background information basically start at my post on Hezekiah and fast-forward about 200 years to the Israelites return to Jerusalem. Ezra was basically about the return and rebuilding of the temple and Nehemiah is Nehemiah’s account of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. All this talk about building got me about walls. Nehemiah stresses to the king of Persia (they let the people go after invading the Babylonian empire) the need for a wall around the city. What do walls do? (It’s a rhetorical question, don’t worry I know what they do) Well they keep bad things out and good things in, for example a wall around a sand castle keeps water (for a short time) out and the castle in. In a way there is a need for that in our lives. Once I heard someone talk about “guarding your heart” and I didn’t quite get it at first but now I understand. We sin, it’s a fact that we are imperfect, but we can prevent ourselves from sinning, and that is by putting up walls; for example if you’re an alcoholic, don’t go by a liquor store or if you’re addicted to smoking stay away from stores that sell cigarettes (or according to some kid in Cape Cod, me). Proverbs 25: 28 says “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control” it’s a fact of life that we are tempted, even Jesus was tempted but if we call on God for help, stay strong and put up our walls we can live a life that glorifies God. (Note: the reference to Cape Cod is from another post, it’s a funny story but for those of you who are confused don’t worry I never have/never will either smoke or posses cigarettes.)