Week of July 1
Walls of Protection
When Nehemiah first heard of Jerusalem’s destruction, he wept and was emotionally shaken. He wrote, “For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4). Nehemiah suddenly realized the walls around the city of Jerusalem were in ruins. Through all of this, he had mistakenly thought they had remained in place. But when the news arrived of their destruction, he became even more burdened.
In Old Testament times, walls around a city were a symbol of strength and security. Without these, a town would be left defenseless, vulnerable, and open to attack. This was the plight of Jerusalem. It was a city without protection against even wild animals. It had lost its identity and was on the verge of being totally reduced to a mound of rubble.
A person who has an undisciplined spirit or no self-control is like a city without walls. He or she is open to enemy attack at any given moment. When we fail to exercise a spirit of self-control, the wild animals of jealousy, rage, frustration, gossip, bearing a false witness, and more can enter our lives easily and unopposed.
The lack of self-control is Satan’s way of preparing us for destruction. However, you do not have to fall victim to the enemy’s schemes. You have all you need to stand firm in your faith. God is the One who strengthens you. When you fall in battle and cry out to Him, He rushes to your side and lifts you up.
If you have allowed sin to come into your life, then your spiritual walls of protection are down. However, God will repair them, but you must turn to Him, confess your sin, and seek His forgiveness. When you do, He will restore His walls of holy protection around your life.
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control (Proverbs 25:28).
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