This Is So Beautiful I Had To Repost It

[Smitty]

The following is written By Deborah McCarragher. It is so beautiful that I wanted to repost it again.

WHAT WALLS DO YOU NEED TO REBUILD IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS?

What is the definition of build? To form by uniting materials by gradual means
into a composite whole; to cause to be constructed; to develop according to a systematic plan.

In Scripture, God has laid forth specific plans with regards to building. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s pattern for building is perfect and comprehensive.
In Genesis 6:14-16 Noah was given specific directions and measurements for building the ark of gopherwood that would provide salvation for his family from the great flood. In Exodus 25-27 Moses was shown the pattern of the tabernacle and furnishings according to God’s commandment . I Chronicles 28:11-12 tells us that “by the Spirit” God had given King David the detailed building plans for the temple, its chambers and its elaborate furnishings that his son Solomon would build for the LORD. Then, in Nehemiah 2-6 we see how through God’s prompting, Nehemiah led the rebuilding effort in Jerusalem to repair the dilapidated walls around the holy city.

What walls do you need to rebuild in your life?
We all have walls that are crumbling. There may be breaches in our marriage and other family relationships. Some of us have walls in our workplace that are in need of repair. It may be time for some serious wall restoration, with regards to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Timing is the key to successful building. Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 says “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven… a time to break down; and a time to build up”.

I have discovered four things we need to consider prior to embarking on a
“re-building” phase when walls are laid waste or in major disrepair:

• PROPER PROVISION
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down
First and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it- lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him…” (Luke 14:28-29). Proverbs 9:1 and 14:1 talk about using wisdom to build on. Godly wisdom and understanding are sure foundations. We are to build “precept upon precept, line upon line” in increments (Isaiah 28:10). In Nehemiah 2 we see God ordained favor and supply from King Artaxerxes for rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Nehemiah stated that it was granted according to the “good hand of my God upon me”
that all he needed was given them by the King.

• EXPERTISE
“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it”
(Psalm 127:1). Jesus said in Matthew 7:24, “Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Paul stresses using superior building materials in I Corinthians 3:11, “For no other foundation can anyone lay other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Also, “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20) is the only sure foundation for any wall reconstruction. Lastly, Peter tells us in I Peter 2:5 that we, “as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house” and thus part of the rebuilding efforts taking place according to God’s design.

• PROPER TOOLS
Three tools that are essential in good quality building are:
Godly character – “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. I will establish My covenant with you” (Genesis 6).
Godly wisdom & preparation – “Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do…” (Genesis 41: 25; 47-57). Joseph carried out the Lord’s command through the dream to build storehouses to collect grain during the 7 years of plenty. Because Egypt was prepared, God blessed them during the 7 years of famine for Joseph’s family’s sake.
Godly example & motivation – “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire…Let us
rise up and build” (Nehemiah 2:17-18). “Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall. ..I did not demand the governor’s provisions because the bondage was heavy on this people” (5:16; 18). Lastly, Nehemiah prayed saying, “Now therefore O God, strengthen my hands” (6:9).

• PERSEVERENCE
In Genesis 6-7, Noah spends nearly 100 years building and preparing the ark for the pending flood. It was a steady dedication and unwavering commitment to what God called him to do, that marked Noah’s perseverance in the face of ridicule and scorn.
In Nehemiah 4:17, he instructed his servants to work on the construction of the wall with one hand, and to hold their weapons with the other. They set their sights on the completion, and not on their enemies. He exhorted them saying, “Our God will fight for us” (Nehemiah 4:20). Finally, Jude declares to us, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God…” (Jude 20-21).

By faith, we are to continue building with the assurance that God indeed goes before you in victory when we build it His Way.