Prayer: Father, help me to understand the need for and importance of a wall. Amen.
The Bible Project: Nehemiah Books of Ezra and Nehemiah Summary | Watch an Overview Video (bibleproject.com)
Reading: Nehemiah 1-2 key: 2:11-12a “I came to Jerusalem, and after I was there for three days, I got up during the night along with a few men. But I did not tell anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem.” TLV
Attention: Probably the most world-famous wall is the Great Wall of China. According to Wikipedia*, “Apart from defense, other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls, allowing the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road, regulation or encouragement of trade and the control of immigration and emigration.” The Wall spans an impressive 13,170.70 miles long.*
You may have noticed in the Bible Project’s overview of Ezra and Nehemiah, that they claimed God did not command Nehemiah to build or rebuild the wall in Jerusalem. While he may not have received a command, the text states that his desire to rebuild the walls was God-placed, God-motivated. He didn’t just one day think, “I’m going to rebuild the walls.”
What is the purpose(s) of a wall? Why did they need a wall? According to the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (HIBD), “In scriptural language a wall is a symbol of salvation (Isaiah 2:2-7; 60:18), of the protection of God (Zechariah 2:5), of those who afford protection (1 Samuel 25:16; Isaiah 2:2-7), and of wealth of the rich in their own conceit (Proverbs 18:11).”
The wall was God’s protection. No wonder that Luther is credited with writing a song which has been sung for centuries as a declaration of God’s mighty protection.
Action: I choose to embrace the God who protects us.
Yield: I choose to submit to the supremacy of God as my protector.
Engage: I choose to engage with the God who protects His people.
Relationship: I choose to live in intimate relationship with God.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your divine providential protection over me, my family, and friends. Your protection speaks to me as the symbol of Your omnipotence. I give You praise. Amen.
Memory Verse: Psalms 18:3 “Adonai is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in Him I take refuge, my shield, my horn of salvation, my stronghold.”
Music Video: CBU—A Mighty Fortress Is Our God https://youtu.be/D99kXCWbrE4?si=TprTzOM6pdNhvtcb
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”