Repair the Breaches!
It just so happened, the other day that a good friend texted me this verse from Ezekiel 13:5, “You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord.”
For God’s people, then and now, this verse has huge spiritual implications. A “breach” is a break, an opening, a spot of vulnerability to the enemy. You might ask, “What in the world does this have to do with me and my life now?” Romans 15:4 tells us, “For everything written in the past was written to teach us…”
“In this politically charged time, one of our biggest issues is immigration... There is debate regarding the need for this, but as Christians there is no debate as to whether we need a personal wall of protection. My fear is that many of us have breaches in our wall.”
I would like to say that receiving this verse from my friend was for your sake. But, that same morning my daily Bible reading was from Nehemiah. It’s a Book about a wall. More specifically, it’s about rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. This wall went from a mighty fortification surrounding the city, to a broken down and burned pile of rubble.
Walls are for protection. They have served from ages past as a refuge from enemy attack. Watchmen on the walls, not only watched for potential attack, they expected it. They maintained their walls with great care, always aware of danger.
Need a Wall?
In this politically charged time, one of our biggest issues is immigration. There are laws in place (if and when enforced!?) that would serve as a wall of sorts for our country. But there is an outcry for more, even a physical wall to be built on the border. There is debate regarding the need for this, but as Christians there is no debate as to whether we need a personal wall of protection. My fear is that many of us have breaches in our wall.
God dedicated an entire book of the Bible to tell the story of a wall. Nehemiah records that some of the people were taking advantage of others misfortune instead of “being there for them”, even better, advocating for them. Some of their fellow Israelites were charging interest on loans, adding to their crushing burden of debt, instead of helping them to actually carry it and/or forgive it entirely. This was against God’s law and greatly displeased Him. It caused broken relationships, causing breaches in God’s family and with God Himself. This kind of sinfulness led to the enemy breaking through and breaking down the wall that protected Jerusalem. This is about much more than an actual wall. It’s about our relationships and our responsibility to stand in the gap for each other. And how our treatment of each other directly affects our walk with God.
Nehemiah quickly learns that rebuilding the wall itself will be a battle. Enemies hate walls. During the rebuilding he experiences attacks from outside and from within. The inside ones are the most devastating. In Psalm 55, David talks of a surprise attack from someone close to him. These are particularly painful. Enemy attacks come in many forms and we need to be ready. Preparedness and readiness are strong themes in Scripture.
Nehemiah’s driving imperative was to rebuild the walls because as they were, any enemy at any time could penetrate the city’s perimeter. Time was of the essence. In this condition, the city was defenseless against attack and helpless in battle. How naïve we still are, even after receiving continual warnings in Scripture regarding enemy attacks. Consider Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
“Remember, time is of the essence. The enemy is looking for an opening. If there is something between you and someone that you refuse to address, it becomes a breach in your wall.”
Everybody needs a wall. I push/persuade/guilt-trip every man I disciple or have influence with to get a wall. I pray that my wife and I, our kids and our loved ones are surrounded by those who love God and love them. We need people who will love us, truth us, counsel us, and pray for us. Part of a healthy wall is to employ the disciplines of the faith, wrestling with God in His Word and in prayer, advocating for others while inviting the same. Most Christians have heard this verse “There is safety in the midst of many counselors” (Proverbs 11:14). Everybody needs a wall, but moreover, a wall with no breaches.
Breaches are caused by sin. Sin causes breaches in our relationships with God and others making us vulnerable to attack from the enemy. Breaches are gaps in our lives where people ought to be. These gaps are caused by broken relationships. Life happens and these breaks are bound to happen so we need to be quick to reconcile them. Our faith is based on us being reconciled to God by the sacrificial advocacy through the Blood of His Son. God expects the same from us for others, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18).
Get a wall, maintain it, and be part of one for another. Our enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for a way to attack (1 Peter 5:8). Nehemiah rebuilt the wall, with the help of others, in record time. He knew they were vulnerable to attack and that time was of the essence.
Everybody needs a wall. Is yours in disrepair? Time to make things right, and remember to forgive like God forgave you. Remember, time is of the essence. The enemy is looking for an opening. If there is something between you and someone that you refuse to address, it becomes a breach in your wall. Don’t give the enemy access to your heart. Remember God’s love for you, love others this way and work toward reconciliation. Invite some to be close friends and counselors. Remember, everyone needs a wall. The principles from Ezekiel and Nehemiah are relevant for today. For your sake and the sake of those you love, remember to repair the breaches.
I will be heading to Nicaragua next month to teach Pastors with Project Hope. I love working with the people from Project Hope and they recently asked me to write up a section on Discipleship to present with their curriculum to the Nicaraguan Pastors. I am so humbled and honored to do this so please pray for me as I put this together.
The cost for the entire trip will be between $1,500 and $2,000, so if you would like to help and feel God urging you to do so, that would be wonderful (click HERE to donate). I couldn't do what I do without your help.
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ”
I hope you do remember to do this… Ironically, I was reminded twice in the same day. Help me to help men as husbands, fathers, friends, leaders, Pastors, and Missionaries to become the kind of men who will Repair the Breaches.
I love you all,
Keith