Scripture

Nehemiah 1:3-4 NIV

They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept.

Consider

Nehemiah was still in exile, serving a Persian king, when he learned that his fellow Jews, who had returned from exile to his homeland, were “in great trouble and disgrace.” Why? Because the holy city, the center of their worship and identity, was without a wall.

A city’s wall was important because it protected its citizens from enemy attack. A city without strong walls was vulnerable and easily defeated. It was a city without strength or hope.

When it comes to our hearts, God tells us to build a strong wall that will keep evil out. “Above all else, guard your heart,” advises Proverbs 4:23, “for it is the wellspring of life.” We all know those vulnerable spots in our lives, those places where the wall protecting our heart is weak, giving the devil a foothold.

A wall is not the same as a boundary. Boundaries define borders and identities. Boundaries are necessary in relationships because they give us the means to communicate, negotiate, and acknowledge the autonomy of others. Healthy boundaries promote healthy relationships by establishing rules of connection between people that are mutually respectful and beneficial. Healthy boundaries make generosity and forgiveness possible.

When it comes to spiritual integrity, however, we need more than boundaries. We need walls. A wall has but one purpose: to guard what’s precious by keeping the enemy out. Unlike people, the devil is not redeemable, so there is no reason to maintain a connection. Instead, we need a wall with no gates or gaps, an immovable, impenetrable fortress that can stand against the powers of darkness.

We must rely on the wisdom of God’s Word and the counsel of God’s Spirit to help us discern where in our lives evil truly threatens us and where we need to shore up our spiritual wall. At the same time, we must also recognize where we have erected stubborn walls in our relationships that keep us locked in needless fear, anger, and resentment, and find ways to soften those walls and open ourselves to one another.

Pray

Good Father, when I think about all the holes in my wall, all the weak spots where I am vulnerable to sin and selfishness, I could, like Nehemiah, sit down and weep. Show me where my heart is vulnerable, and help me to build up a wall that can withstand any assault from the devil. At the same time, show me where I have built needless walls in my relationships and help me to replace them with good and healthy boundaries. Thank you for the truth of your Word and the power of your Spirit. May they guard my thoughts and guide my decisions.

Reflect

Psalm 18:2; Proverbs 14:26; Ephesians 4:27

Ponder

Where in my life do I need walls to protect me from evil? Where have I built needless walls to help me feel safe?