Rebuilding the Wall

My Gym

Rebuilding the Wall

{ "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." Proverbs 25:28 }

This short proverb has revealed to me a new concept about self-control that I had never thought about before. I need self-control in so many areas of my life. I need the Holy Spirit's help in controlling what I think, what I say, what I eat, and what I do with my time. The more out of control we are with what we hear, say, and do, the more vulnerable we are to the evil one. Without self-control, we are a defenseless city stripped of its value and left for the taking. 

Try to imagine what this metaphor implies about a lack of self-control. If a city does not have walls, it does not have protection. Its enemies can enter at any point. The valuables of the city are all gone and the city is overwhelmed with evil. Any survivors are scared, vulnerable, and helpless. The good goes out and the bad comes in. Self-control offers protection. 

In the Hebrew language, a man with self-control is able to "rule over his own affections, senses, and passions". While his desires (good and bad) are still there, he has power over them. A controlled man is like a good ruler of a city who does all that he can to keep his fence from being damaged. He knows that there are enemies outside the walls that could steal what is precious to him. 

Since we are human, there are going to be many times when we give in to our sinful desires. Our wall of self-control is damaged. It is important that instead of ignoring the rubble, we work to rebuild it. 

Nehemiah is the perfect example of a godly leader. His story connects beautifully with this proverb. When Nehemiah first heard that the walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed because of the sinfulness of the people, Nehemiah immediately went before the Lord. The evil rulers of Judah brought about the attack of the Babylonians leaving the survivors of Jerusalem scared and ashamed. 

So, Nehemiah humbled himself before the Lord, mourned, wept, and confessed his sins and the sins of the people. Nehemiah prayed the promises of God. He trusted in God's steadfast love. He offered God words of adoration. He made no excuses for wrongdoings of the people or himself, but understood the weight of their sin. 

{ "You never lighten the load unless you have felt the pressure of your own soul. You are never used of God to bring blessing until God has opened your eyes and made you see things as they are."  Redpath }

Nehemiah understood that he could not rebuild Jerusalem without the Lord's help. Before he went to discuss arrangements with the King of Persia, Nehemiah asked that God would "give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man" (Neh. 1:11). 

God worked within Nehemiah during those four months of prayer and fasting before God began to work through Nehemiah. Four months was much longer than even the amount of time it took Nehemiah to rebuild the walls. This stresses the importance of developing a firm foundation of prayer and repentance before you begin the building process. If your heart is not in the right place, you will tire easily and your efforts will be out of works and not grace. The need comes before the deed. There must be an inward change before an outward action. 

Although other men (like Ezra) had failed to rebuild the walls before, Nehemiah knew this was what God wanted him to do. He and his men "strengthened their hand for good work" because they knew that the "hand of God" was upon them (Neh. 2:18). In response to the mockers around them who tried to discourage their work, the builders confidently said, "The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build.." (Neh. 2:20). What a testimony!

{ "Laying the matter to heart, he did not begin to speak with other people about what they would do, nor did he draw up a wonderful scheme about what might be done if so many thousand people joined in the enterprise; but it occurred to him that he would do something himself." Spurgeon }

Do not ignore your damaged walls. Ask God to create within you a desire to mend them. Before you set out to work with God to overcome your personal battles with sin, pray the prayer of Nehemiah. Humble yourself before the Lord. Tell of His unending mercy. Confess your sins. Admit your need for him. In response to the spiritual attacks that try to discourage or hinder your success, verbally announce whose you are: God's servant and what you are doing: building the wall of self-control. Know that God can and will use you for great things! The God of heaven will make you prosper. ❤︎

The Girl Next Door