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In the Old Testament there are many stories of cities building walls. Physically, walls were a means of protection against the enemy. In the book of Nehemiah we read Nehemiah's response to the people after surveying the city of Jerusalem. He saw what was once a great city, but the walls of the city were now in ruins. He began to dream again of a city with strong walls. Walls capable of holding out the enemy. Walls that could help Israel become God's people again.

Walls were also used as a symbol. In Isaiah 26:1, the wall is a symbol of salvation.

In Zechariah 2, the wall is seen as the protection of God.

In our world today… walls are still a symbol. What comes to mind when I mention the following? The Berlin Wall, Great Wall of China, Walls of Troy, The Wailing Wall, Walls of the Kremlin, or even Wall Street. In many cases, each of these represents an effort to keep someone in or out.

Walls divide, separate and isolate us.

I have a lot of experience in building walls. Over the years, I have found myself constructing a wall around myself. With each relationship that ends, I find myself building the wall a little bit higher and adding reinforcements in the places that have grown weak. I have convinced myself that the wall is for my protection. I want to protect myself from the pain of rejection, loss and heartbreak.

But the wall also keeps a lot of people out. People who love me, care about me, and who want to help me. Sometimes it's hard to make the distinction between "who can help" and "who will hurt" and therefore it seems much easier just go keep on building my wall.

Just a few days ago I went through a very sad and painful experience that brought my "wall building" into the light. The light of truth shone brightly on my sin and made me realize that while I should guard my heart – it does not mean that I should build walls to keep people out.

(Ouch! It doesn't feel so good to have your sin exposed, does it?)

Immediately the word "bridge" came to mind. Strangely though, I could not find reference of the word "bridge" in any of the modern Bible translations I use. Webster defines it as "a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle."

I love the wording… "over a depression." Here I had been building a wall in hopes of getting over my depression and right there it is in black and white… all I needed was a bridge.

Bridges are what bring people and things together. In the physical sense they are the structure that allows us to cross over something that might otherwise be uncrossable. They save us time in getting from point A to point B.

But bridges can also be symbols. Remember the songs "Love Can Build a Bridge" or "Like a Bridge over Troubled Water?" I don't think they are really talking about a bridge you can physically drive your car over.

In many cases a bridge is a symbol of getting over something or making a connection to something or someone. If we are being completely honest with ourselves, most of us are really lonely, but we are afraid to let people into our lives. We are social beings that are isolated by sin. But oh - how we long for making a connection with someone.

Satan loves that. He wants us to get wrapped up in our sin and continue to build walls that isolate and separate us from each other.

God hates that. Which is why, in my humble opinion, God created the "first" bridge with Jesus Christ. Jesus spent His life knocking down walls and building bridges. He broke down the wall that separated the Jews and the Samaritans. (John 4:4-9; Acts 8:4-9)

Jesus also broke down the walls erected by self righteousness of the Pharisees and scribes.

Jesus never built a wall around himself.

Jesus is the strongest and greatest bridge ever built – the bridge that crosses over sin and unites us with God.
Satan thought he could make the cross a wall. God turned Satan's wall in to a bridge.

Are you building walls or bridges?

Have you built a wall between yourself and someone else? Are you willing to start today to break down that wall and build a bridge instead? Are you willing even if it means going outside your comfort zone in order to do it? To whom could you begin to show the unconditional love of Jesus Christ? How could you show that love to them in a practical, meaningful way? The one thing I can guarantee you is that it won't be easy, but it will be so worth it.

Try building a bridge!

"Point of Reference" from Fred Price

A Broken Spirit And Contrite Heart