Building Walls and Tearing Them Down

Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. Joshua 6:1

The Holman NKJV Study Bible commentary states: This is a physical defense, but it also represents a resistance to the plans of God. I believe the gates of Jericho are the same as the walls many of us have built around ourselves. Building these walls are our way to keep others out. Being hurt by others caused so much pain we would rather block them out than take a risk of being hurt again. Oh, I feel you. I know when we are hurt in this way we automatically put up a guard and build these walls around us.

This is what I have learned and it probably applies to you as well. We build walls out of fear because it is the fear of being hurt again. Right? When digging down to the root of the problem the fear is what I found to be deeply rooted. I'm sorry if I hit a nerve, but I am right here with you. All I want you to know is if we don't dig down to the root of the problem they keep growing up so to speak. I built my walls so high my place of security became a very lonely place where I was now trapped. Do you feel this way? If so, this is why. When we shut everyone out at the same time we are actually shutting ourselves in. I meditated on this verse and I hope it will encourage you today.

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 I will build you up again. (vs.4) NIV The Lord appeared to him (us) from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3 Again I will build you. (vs.4) ESV God told them, (us) I've never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love! Jeremiah 31:3 And so now I'll start over with you and build you up again. (vs. 4) The Message

When we shut others out and seclude ourselves from the world the problems worsen throughout time. Are you ready to break free? I hope so and all we need to do is ask God to build us back up. He will build us back up so we can face anything and will no longer feel the need for a wall. He will build us up with confidence, courage, and strength so we will be able to tear those walls down brick by brick.

God will draw us close to Him with an everlasting love and unfailing kindness. Whether He is near or far away His faithfulness always remains. God is love! He always was, is, and will be. He will build us back up time and time again.