What Is the Condition of Your Wall?

As we take time to observe God’s Sabbath, I thought it might prove helpful to continue the study of walls in the Sabbath Thought for this week.

Let’s begin with a question. What is the state of your wall? Do we realize that God has assigned us to build a wall and to keep it up?

Notice the words of God in Ezekiel 22:25-30: The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, "Thus says the Lord GOD," when the LORD had not spoken. The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it. . . .

Do we have a wall to keep the enemies of God's way out of our lives and homes? Have we set boundaries against the world, or have we torn down the wall? If we have a wall, are we leaving the gates open and unguarded? Are we willing to fight to defend our families and our church? Or do we just let the enemy stream in unchallenged? Are we willing to stand up to the world?

This particular wall is not one of brick and stone, but a spiritual wall anchored by God, designed to keep spiritual problems out.

1 Timothy 5:8 says that if we fail to provide for the needs of our loved ones—both physically and spiritually—we are worse than an unbeliever! Have we done anything to protect our families—or has worldliness hurdled our puny walls, totally pervading every aspect of our lives?

Satan hates walls. "Let's all be one happy family," he whispers in our ears. "Walls are for the immature. You're spiritually mature now, so you can handle immorality without a problem." Don't fall for this line.

God Himself teaches us through His example to erect impregnable bulwarks against Satan. He placed cherubim with flaming swords at the entrance to the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of  life (Genesis 3:24), and even New Jerusalem will have towering walls and gates (Revelation 21:12, 14). In type, the church is to be a wall (Song of Songs 8:10), within which peace dwells and righteousness flourishes. God supplies this spiritual wall to those who seek His Way, His providence and His will. The work of rebuilding our personal wall is the effort we put into seeking a strong relationship with Him, and He then provides the defenses for us. God becomes our wall.

David understands this perfectly. He often praises God as his rock, his high tower, his fortress, his wall. "I will love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; . . . my stronghold" (Psalm 18:1-2). For a child of God, no other wall can effectively protect us from spiritual assaults: "He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved".

God puts a wall around His people to keep Satan at bay, as in the example of Job. Satan complains, "Have You not made a hedge [wall] around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side?" (Job 1:10). Only after God removed the wall could Satan attack Job—and he wasted no time doing so! Surely, we see the lesson in this.

If we reject God, break down the wall or neglect our relationship with Him, what happens? "Whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent" (Ecclesiastes 10:8). The Bible depicts Satan as a serpent. Many brethren have allowed their walls to crumble, and Satan has struck.

Sometimes God Himself tears down our walls because of our sins (Isaiah 5:4-5). As Paul puts it, He delivers us to Satan for the destruction of our flesh in the hope we will repent (1 Corinthians 5:5).

What is the condition of our wall? Is it broken down or in need of repair?

The surest way to restore the wall is through sincere and complete repentance. Playing at the repair job, daubing bits of untempered mortar here and there, will only increase God's wrath (Ezekiel 13:8-16). Such a wall, lacking God, gives the impression of security but crumbles at the smallest enemy strike. We must be totally committed to restoring our neglected relationship with God, thus restoring God's presence as the wall.

As you keep the Sabbath day, consider what is the condition of my wall? Upon assessment, if your wall is need of repair, seek God’s help to restore it fully.

Have a pleasant Sabbath,

Gary Smith

God's Unchanging Standard

As promised in last week’s Sabbath thought, I want continue the discussion about the benefits of standardization. This week we will look at this subject from a more spiritual perspective.

At one time in America, Protestant Christianity was the standard. Judeo-Christian morality was commonly accepted. Christianity was a routine part of American society.

However, our world has dramatically changed what is now standard. An assistant football coach helps to illustrate our changing standards in regard to what is religiously accepted.

Joe Kennedy was a coach at Bremerton High School in the state of Washington. Since 2008, the coach has offered on-field prayers at the 50-yard line after each game. While he typically goes on the field to pray alone, students and players often voluntarily join Kennedy — and that is what has sparked controversy and concerns over the separation of church and state.

Because of the school district’s concern over separation of church and state, the coach was told to cease these public prayers.

The coach felt that this restriction placed on him by the school district was an infringement on his religious liberty as an American. He continued to pray after a game and ended up being suspended as an assistant football coach.

There was a time in America when praying before or after a football game would not have been controversial but standards have changed.

How will this religious freedom issue work out in 21st century America? Time will give the answer to that question.

As Christians, we know that there is an unchanging standard in which we can have unwavering confidence. We know that God and His spiritual standard does not change. Let’s consider a few scriptural passages that illustrate this point:

Malachi 3:6 "For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” God does not change in His nature, His purposes and His promises. If God were changeable He would have consumed the Jews for their sins.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

James tells us that good and perfect gifts come down from heaven, “from the Father of lights.” God is the creator of these heavenly lights; He himself is nothing but light. Therefore, darkness cannot exist in the presence of God. In this light, God displays his holiness, goodness, love, integrity, and unchangeableness.

In the New Testament Commentary by Hendrikson and Kistemaker, they “Note that James calls God the “Father” of lights and uses this figure of speech to illustrate God's absolute stability. God “does not change like shifting shadows.” The being, nature, and characteristics of God are unchangeable (Mal. 3:6). As the earth, sun, moon, and stars move in their ordained courses, we observe the interplay of light and darkness, day and night, the longest and the shortest day of the year, the waning and the waxing of the moon, eclipses, and the movements of the planets. Nature is subject to variation and change. Not so with God! He is the Father of the heavenly lights, who is always light and does not change. He has an abiding interest in his children.”

Finally consider Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus Christ embodies the same standard at all time as does the heavenly Father.

As we consider the world of men, standards change over time. God never changes in His character or in His truth. God’s unchanging standard gives us confidence as we go about our lives.

As we observe the weekly Sabbath, rejoice in God’s unchanging standard.

Gary Smith