This summer I learned about walls being built. Not those
ugly, figurative walls that we so often hear about. These walls were quite the
opposite - beautiful, physical walls that God had instructed to be built by
people of His Word, following His will in their lives.
I spent my summer reading and studying the book of Nehemiah.
And I also lived and served in Zambia this summer. In both places, God called
and His people answered.
As I read Nehemiah, I had a wonderful, tangible picture
right in front of me. You see, Nehemiah is about the Jews traveling back to
Jerusalem to build the protective wall that had been destroyed by the
Babylonians around their city. Jerusalem needed protection and the Jews were
willing to sacrifice, labor, and pray so that a wall could be built. The nation
came together and served one another and throughout the process, lifted up the
city to the Lord. A people once disgraced, now found purpose and pleasure.
Nehemiah 2: 17-18:
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins,
and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of
Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. ” I also told them about the
gracious hand of my God on me .... They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they
began this good work.
Fast forward a couple thousand years to the year of 2012 and
you would find a group of humble people in Zambia with a similar mission. Walls
needed to be built for protection. Not just physical protection but emotional
and spiritual as well. These walls would be for a family - a beautiful
"mama" and 8 children who had come from backgrounds we cannot
imagine. Before my eyes, men and women gathered to serve and answer the call
the Lord had given them.
This group of people had traveled from thousands of miles away.
They came together, served and lifted up this house to the Lord. They
sacrificed, labored and prayed as they placed brick upon brick. And the walls
were completed because they had a purpose and found pleasure as they served the
Lord. Where there was once a barren plot of land, now stands My Father's House
#8.
Nehemiah 4:6 So we
rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked
with all their heart.
Oh but these walls were and are so much more than physical!
They protected a nation and will protect a family. They serve as a place of
refuge and safety. Inside, the Lord is worshiped and praised. And children who
were lost and hurting, now have a safe place to call home.
Nehemiah 6:16 When all
our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost
their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with
the help of our God.
Likewise, we pray the same for House #8 in Zambia today. May
the Enemy retreat in fear as it is made known that these walls were built with
the help of our God. Thank you Lord for being
faithful from generation to generation, and offering your children purpose and
protection. May we continue to build in your name!