³ Then I said to them, “Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot, and while they are standing guard, let them shut and bolt the doors. Also appoint guards from the inhabitants of Jerusalem, each at his post, and each in front of his own house.”

Nehemiah 7:3 (NASB)

One more time

As I was praying about today’s blog, it seemed important to re-emphasize the spiritual aspect of yesterday’s passage. There is an important teaching that can be derived from it – guard and protect our spirit. A key verse for this is, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” (Prov 4:23 NASB). The NLT words it this way: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” 

Spiritual walls

Nehemiah diligently and skillfully led the Jews to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem so that there would be protection and peace within. In this passage, as we looked at yesterday, he set up guards to watch the gates and the walls. So we need to, I believe, establish and guard spiritual walls.

How?

Here are some ideas:

• Seek the Lord. In Jeremiah 29:13 God says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” David, in Psalm 119:10 – “With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.”
• Pray like David in Psalm 141:3: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” Create your own boundaries and don’t violate them.
• Delight in Him. Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.”
• Delight in His Word. Psalm 1:2 – “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”  See below.
• Ask others to hold you accountable for your behavior and speech and theology – the boundaries you set up.

Bible study reminder

I’m grateful for your interest in reading/following this daily blog. I pray almost every time I post that God would lead me to what to write and would encourage/challenge at least someone in their walk. But, I strongly encourage you to do your own Bible study and not just read this short devotion and “check the box”. Your Heavenly Father wants you to grow in your knowledge of Him and relationship with Him. Studying His word for yourself is a key way to do that. For more about why to study the Bible, click here. For ideas on how to study, check this link from desiringgod.org. Or, order this free book from Navigators on how to study the Bible.