"When the Lord your God brings you in-to the land...and has cleared away...the Perizzites...you shall not make a coven-ant with them..." (Deuteronomy 7:1-2).
Perizzite means: unwalled town or village (city).
You may be wondering what an unwalled city has to do with you, but think of the wall in terms of a fortress that protects you from enemies that try to invade your life. Enemies like the ones we've already discussed in this series: depression, spir-itual attack, bitterness, rebellion, gossip, lack of unity; what about sickness or dis-ease?
Without that hedge of protection provid-ed by the wall, we're a sitting duck for the enemy. If we become complacent, and don't stay on guard, the enemy will look for a breach in the wall, and break it down. "And they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem and burned all its palaces with fire and destroyed all its precious vessels." (2 Chronicles 36:19).
If we're not obedient to the Word of God, as was the case with Israel at the time of this prophesy, it gives the enemy power against us. Prophesying about Babylon, Ezekiel says,"and you will say, 'I will go up against an open country (Israel), I will come against those who are at rest and peaceful, who live securely, all of them living without walls and having neither bars nor gates." (Ezekiel 38:11).
Once the wall's destroyed, rebuilding isn't easy; you'll have to do warfare, "Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens loaded themselves so that everyone worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other." (Nehemiah 4:17).
It may feel impossible at times, but don't get discouraged; God promises, "It shall be a day for building your walls, On that day the boundary [of Israel] shall be [greatly] extended." (Micah 7:11). Not only will God help you restore your wall, but He says He'll give you more territory.
We don't live with walls of brick and mor-tar; the Lord is our protection. No one knew that better than King David. "But the Lord has become my high tower and defense, And my God the rock of my re-fuge." (Psalm 94:22). "The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10).
If you're being attacked by any of the 'ites' we've discussed before, then you've pro-bably been attacked by Perizzites first. Walk your walls; check for breaches, and rebuild with the Word. "For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, A strong tower against the enemy. (Psalm 61:3).
Join me next Friday for another Devotional In His Word
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