Guarding the Great Wall
The Great Wall of China is one of the most impressive feats
of architecture ever constructed and deserves its place as one of the Seven
Wonders of the World. The 5,500 mile long wall is the longest human made
structure. It took hundreds of years to build the entire wall and it is
estimated that it may have caused about one million people to lose their life
while carrying rocks up the steep mountain side.
When you climb the vertical incline to the wall and then
walk along the stone path and ascend the stairs along the wall you feel a part
of history as you gaze for miles across the mountainous terrain.
The Great Wall was built to protect China from the attacks
of the nomadic tribes from the north, and had a series of more than 10,000 watchtowers
and beacon towers yet within the first few years China was invaded because the
guards on duty were bribed to let invaders in. The enemy was able to walk right
in without a fight. Just imagine, the people who were meant to protect and prevent
attacks were actually the downfall because of their greed and lack of care or
concern for their country and it’s safety.
We are told frequently in the Bible that we should be on
guard:
- Psalm 24:20 guard our life
- Psalm 141:3 guard our mouth
- Proverbs 4:23 guard our heart
- Proverbs 16:7 guard our way
- Philippians 4:7 guard our minds
- Luke 12:15 guard against greed
- 2 Peter 3:17 guard against being carried away by error of the lawless
With all of these warnings you would think we would take it seriously.
We need to protect every part of our very being from danger, from harm, from
sin, from greed, from Satan’s attacks. We must be alert to the enemy and
lookout for the trouble while it is still in the distance and not wait until it
is imminent. We can fool ourselves into complacency
just as the guards did at The Great Wall or we can choose to allow the righteousness
of God to guard us. (Proverbs 13:6)
An example from history provides a helpful lesson for us. If
a vast supposedly impassable wall can be easily penetrated with the right set
of circumstances, how much more easily our frail lives can falter if not
guarded well
Which will you choose—to be awake, alert and watching for
harm or unaware of the things around that can cause hurt, harm and destruction
if allowed to penetrate your life?
I want to be on guard, so be sure to prod me to action if
you see me sleeping on the job. I’ll do the same for you if you’ll just ask.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
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