10/11/12

People have a mind to work on

Nehemiah 4:6 - So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.


During the time of Ezra and Nehemiah (around 400-450BC, there was 8 years between them) we see they came from Babylon to build again the wall of Jerusalem which was a wall all around the perimeter of Jerusalem. Even today the wall at Jerusalem (a part of what remains) is of great sentimental value for the Jews. It was called the Wailing Wall and now is referred to as the Western Wall. The existing wall was reconstructed / completed by Herod the Great in around 19BC. The original wall of Jerusalem was made by Solomon. What remains today is just a section of the wall. This section is considered most sacred by the Jews; they face the wall and recite their prayers / scriptures.

This wall is not only sacred to the Jews but also to the Muslims. Islam believes their prophet Mohammed rod on a Buraq (which was like mythical creature, a horse with a human head - described as handsome, having wings near its thighs which could hope from mountain to mountain) and came to this wall ridding on this Buraq from Mecca along with the angel Gabriel, they prayed there and then they went on a journey (flying) to see the heavens, all this in one night.

Today's scripture talks of the Jews at that time did complete the whole wall running around the perimeter of Jerusalem but then they made it half of its intended height. The scripture says they did this because they had a mind of their own which they needed to sort out.

In my recent mail I had pointed out how the Ark of Testimony was a symbolic shadow of the Cross which Jesus spoke about. Everything about it (its contents, its design and things connected to it) gives us a clear understanding of the Cross. Similarly the other important objects then too have great significant understanding for us.

It was just some days back the Lord explained to me the significance of the wall and when we understand it, we will be amused at the Jews and Muslims understanding of it.

A wall around the city was built to protect the people living within the city, but we see David called Jerusalem Zion which means 'fortified city' even before the wall was built. David had an understanding of the real wall, but Solomon was a man of wisdom which was worldlier. He was not a man who was led by the Spirit of God therefore many things were hidden or misunderstood by him. Solomon took the literal meaning of the word Zion and built a wall around Jerusalem.

The Lord showed me a wall surrounding a city where people of God dwell symbolizes the Church. A Church is not just a gathering of people but is a gathering of people who are spiritually connected; and when that connection is the Lord, then He becomes the wall that protects them.

We do not realize how important it is to be connected to the right Church, a Church which is purely centred on the Lord. We see problems in Christians because we have polluted the core of the Church. We have put worldly things in the Church due to our lack of surrender and relationship with the Lord, and then we find ourselves always on our knees begging the Lord for protection and provision.

Let us clear our minds of all the impurity which is worldly and carnal, and cleanse our understanding of what the core of the Church believes in. It is only then we will see the glory of God shine among us. We will be protected not by our human wisdom, our human ability and our worldly resources, but we will be protected by a supernatural wisdom, a supernatural potency and a supernatural provision.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, we do not want walls made by man to protect us for we are protected by your Name. When You are the center of our lives then You become the Wall that keeps us safe and satisfied. No power can breach You. They will come but will perish at the wall, only their bones will be found there. Lord we pray that your people be one in mind and spirit. Let that one thing be You, your Kingdom and your Spirit...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
2 Samuel 5:7 - Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

1 Kings 3:1 - And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.

Philippians 1:27-28
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

2 Corinthians 13:11 - Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

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