“…And you shall be called Repairer of the Breach (Repairer of Broken Walls)…” Isaiah 58: 12
As we begin, let’s focus on walls for a minute.
What walls need repairing in our lives? Are they walls of division, walls of separation, or walls of protection to keep others out?
Sometimes in our hurt, we erect tall walls around us to let no one in and distance ourselves from being hurt again, or sometimes those walls have been broken down and we feel like we are no longer protected.
Perhaps a sudden loss or a recent heartache hit you hard, and it felt like your whole world came crashing down?
Whatever wall has been erected or ruined, we are in need of being rebuilt. That brokenness needs to be repaired, and Jesus can bring that repair.
As we look at the above portion of our key scripture, we see the word Repairer.
Are we positioning ourselves to seek repair? Are we moving towards rebuilding?
There is one man in scripture who was called to rebuild, His name was Nehemiah.
Let’s look at Nehemiah’s response to the situation when he saw the city walls of Jerusalem down and demolished.
He moved toward the Repairer to hear his heart.
The lack of the city wall meant that the people were defenseless against their enemies.
How we respond is significant in bringing repair.
Here’s Nehemiah’s response:
“The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire. When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven…” Nehemiah 1: 3-4
His sorrow for the situation overwhelmed him, yes, but he didn’t stay in that sorrow. He chose to take it to God in prayer.
In our sorrow, in our situations, in our broken state, are we positioning ourselves to seek God’s repair by talking with Him about it? If our answer is yes, then great. That’s a great place to start!
Now, let’s look at his beautiful prayer, which he prayed that we can all learn from verse by verse:
“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and obey His commands…Nehemiah 1: 5
- Nehemiah begins by addressing God as great and awesome; so should we.
- Nehemiah reminds God of His faithful covenant, which is binding and unbreakable to those who love and obey Him.
Faithful love is a quality that honors the covenant through thick and thin.
“…Let your ears be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you.” Nehemiah 1: 6
- Nehemiah asks God to listen to him and to see him.
- Nehemiah asks God to look at his heart and to take notice of his prayers, day and night.
- Nehemiah calls the people of Israel and himself servants.
- Nehemiah includes himself and his family in his confession of sin.
A true sense of the awesomeness of God reveals the depths of our own sinfulness.
“We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant, Moses.” Nehemiah 1: 7
I need to pause right here for some may be asking what this has to do with rebuilding? My answer is:
Repentance and forgiveness are necessary components in rebuilding and restoring.
Nehemiah’s call was more than just rebuilding the city, physically; he was called to rebuild with intercession for Jerusalem and the restoration of the people and city.
We need to forgive ourselves, too. Oftentimes, that’s the last place we go. We blame everyone else for everything and find it very difficult to take ownership of our error and sin.
- True repentance is a change in heart and mind that should lead one to turn away from sin and wrong behavior.
- True repentance goes beyond regret; it signifies a commitment to change and a shift in our faith.
Ultimately, repentance is essential for receiving forgiveness and salvation.
We’ll stop here and pick up the rest of this beautiful prayer as God comforts this man of God. Nehemiah cared deeply for and believed in the covenant that God made with Abraham and the Israeli people.
An interesting fact is that Nehemiah’s name means “The Lord Comforts.” Yes, we serve the “God of All Comfort,” who comforts us at all times and in many ways.
Running to God in prayer brings comfort as He brings restoration to us. In addition, He uses our prayers to help in rebuilding and restoring others. We call that intercession.
At times, in obedience, God will ask us to help restore one another, which results in bringing restoration to ourselves.
What we sow into the lives of others, we reap into our own lives. Pour out and watch God pour back into you, without measure, pressed down and running over.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on My Beloved’s Voice
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
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