There is a guy called Nehemiah who is famous in history and the bible for being the one to rebuild a wall. This wasn’t any old wall however, but the wall to protect the city of Jerusalem. Back then a city was only as strong as it’s walls and gates, and the walls of Jerusalem had been broken down for decades. Yet under Nehemiah’s guidance and strategy they were rebuilt in only fifty two days.
God directed Nehemiah to rebuild the walls and gates to the city because He knew their significance to protect and shelter His people, but it’s not the only place where He desires to rebuild broken down walls.
When we ask Jesus to be part of our life the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us; we become a temple or house of the Holy Spirit – God Himself. However even though God now dwells within us we can still have brokenness within us, and entrance points where we have or still allow the enemy in. But God wants to help us rebuild and restore any brokenness and to sure up our gates so that our enemy the devil and his schemes cannot keep getting access to our lives. For a city, and a person is only as strong as it’s walls and gates.
Nehemiah had a strategy, and when we study his plan we can learn how to handle some things in our own lives, and also in our city and nation.
1. Deal with our past. Nehemiah looked at the state of people’s heart’s and realised he needed to deal with some past issues within his people. He chose to repent of any sin and generational sin. He asked forgiveness on behave of the people because he realised there was a bigger problem than a wall being broken down.
“Conditions externally drive what’s internally in us out. “ We may be feeling mad but that had to be in us to come out. Even though others may create circumstances to bring out what is in us we ultimately are responsible for what’s inside us. Nobody else makes us sin, lose our temper or react in anger. We choose. But if we shift blame we can’t rebuild our lives or move on. (Kris Vollatton)
Today, as a first step to working towards rebuilding those broken down “walls and gates”, start to deal with your past. Get some help if need be; be honest and make a decision to take responsibility for what is in the inside of you, rather than blaming your condition and who you have become on something or someone else.
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31)
“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Prayer: Lord help me to be honest about where I am at, and to take a good look at my life so that I can start to deal with any past issues or things that are not pleasing to you. Help me to take the necessary steps to rebuild any brokenness in my life, and to close up the entry points where harmful influences have been gaining access into my life. In Jesus name Amen.
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