“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth
such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but
the LORD delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of
them is broken.” (Psalm 34:18-20).
Introduction
Walls not only represent protection and defence in Scripture, they can also be hindrances, problems and afflictions. How often have we found ourselves with our back up against a wall because of some difficulty that has arisen in our lives? No matter how we might try to ignore it or run from it, it seems to be with us as a constant reminder of our weakness and inability to solve the problem. It appears to tower over our heads and so we submit ourselves to defeat. Several Bible characters had walls to contend with and found a way to overcome them.
Israel’s wall
Twelve spies were sent into the land of the Canaanites. They returned with news of the wonders that they saw there, but ten thought that Israel had no chance in taking the land. They said, “Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there” (Numbers 13:28). They spoke of giant walls built by giant people. The wall was too big a problem to deal with.
Forty years later, under Joshua’s command, the wall had to be faced again. He encouraged the people with God’s word, and though the wall was still there it was not insurmountable. “Go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it” (Joshua 1:11). They obeyed, prayed to and praised the Lord. God had promise that “the wall of the city shall fall down flat” (Joshua 6:5). “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city” (Joshua 6:20). Israel faced their wall in obedience to God’s word and it was not the big problem they previously thought it to be. All who put their trust in the Lord will find that “every wall shall fall to the ground” (Ezekiel 38:20).
David’s wall
David faced many walls throughout his life. He had to deal with the lions and bears that sought to devour his flock (1 Samuel 17:37), with the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17:42-51), and with being constantly hounded by King Saul. We find that he looked to God at such times to help him through all his difficulties and problems. He knew what it meant to have his back up against the wall, but he turned and faced it with faith in his heart. “For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall” (2 Samuel 22:29-30 & Psalm 18:28-29).
Hezekiah’s wall
King Hezekiah received news that he had an incurable disease. The prophet Isaiah told him, “Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live” (2 Kings 20:1). How many of use would crumble into self-pity, depression and fear if we told something similar? Hezekiah did not do this but faced his personal wall. “Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore” (2 Kings 20:2-3). He prayed and his wall was demolished by God. “I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee” (2 Kings 20:5).
Our wall
We often find ourselves faced with difficult circumstances and situations to solve. We may have tried in our own strength or the wisdom of others to overcome them, but we ended up feeling that we were banging our heads against a brick wall. Instead of trying to run away from the wall or ignore its existence, we must face it in the power of Christ. He will give us the grace required to find the way through the wall. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Conclusion
These kind of walls need to be faced. We, like the people we have mentioned, can overcome the wall through faith, trust, obedience, prayer and praise. The Lord Jesus Christ has promised that He would never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), which means that He must be standing with us as we face our wall. These Bible characters found that God knew about their own walls, and saw Him deliver them from the problem they found themselves in. Can He not do the same for all that call upon His name?
© 17/5/2010