And the Walls Came Tumbling Down!

"By faith the walls of Jericho fell..."

- Hebrews 11:30 (ESV)

     The thought of being hurt often causes us to throw up walls, and push others away. Sometimes it can be so hard to get close to someone, because we already have it set in our mind that they will mess-up. People will mess-up - we are HUMAN, we all do it. But God helps us to fix wrongs; he helps us work out problems. We just have to let Him tear down our walls and help us to fully trust in Him.

     It is so hard to let go of the things we hold so tightly to, and that's a reason why we do build up walls. We are afraid that if we trust someone they will hurt us. We are afraid that if we take a chance we will fail. We are afraid that if we follow the path that God is calling us to, it will mean losing all our hopes and dreams. However, when we build up these walls, we often shut out those who are closest to us.

     In the Bible, God sends Joshua to tear down the walls of Jericho, and maybe that is what we need - for God to send someone to tear down our walls. Someone who will help us let go of the worries and the fears that we keep bottled up inside of us. And you know what? God did send someone, who can do just that. Jesus can tear down our barriers and help us let go of our burdens. He will take it from us...all we have to do is ask, and believe in Him.

     We will never truly be happy, until we let God tear down our walls and take away our worries. Once we do we can fully enjoy our relationship with Him and our relationships with others.

You'll Never Walk Alone

“We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone."

- Martin Luther 

     Often in our walk with God, we can feel like He has abandoned us. We pray and pray and pray, but we seem to have no answer. We begin to wonder if God really cares, or if He is just going to leave us to fend for ourselves. But God is everywhere, all the time.

"The Lord doesna forsake any o' His creation. Remember that, child, when ye're older and ye think God's left ye alone. He's alway there." 

- Digory (Michael Phillips and Judith Pella, The Heather Hills of Stonewyke)

     Just because it doesn't seem like God is answering us, it doesn't mean that He is not there. He is always there, helping us along with each step. But many of us think of God as a genie, waiting to grant our every wish. And unless we see God coming out of a bottle in a puff of smoke, we think that we're all alone. But God is not a genie; He is a kind, just and loving Father. And like a good Father, God gives us what we need, which is not always what we want.

     At times it can be hard to remember that God is with us, especially when we are having a hard time. But He hears our prayers; He is helping us in all that we do, even when we don't seem to notice it. When we enter into a relationship with God, He doesn't just stop by at convenient hours; He stays with us through everything. We are not abandoned, but have a Helping Hand in every step. And with God by our side, we'll never walk alone.

"I will never leave you nor forsake you."
- Hebrews 13:5