CHARACTER EXEMPLIFIED

A powerful historical analogy that illustrates character-building in the Bible is Nehemiah's effort to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.

“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” – Proverbs 25:28

1. SEEING THE NEED TO BUILD THE WALL OF CHARACTER

“And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.” - Nehemiah 2:13

Nehemiah recognized the need to build a wall to protect Jerusalem and its Temple. With help from the Jewish remnant, Ezra had recently completed the reconstruction of the Temple. After visiting Jerusalem, Nehemiah decided it was time to focus on building the wall. This historical account parallels the inner temple of our hearts, where the Holy Spirit resides. Even though we give our hearts to the Lord our God, we remain susceptible to the depravity of our flesh. Therefore, we need to establish a wall of character around our hearts. This wall serves as a defense to help safeguard the temple of our hearts on a daily basis.

2. REALIZING THE PURPOSE TO BUILD THE WALL OF CHARACTER

“Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. … And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.” - Nehemiah 2:17, 18b

To avoid becoming a source of shame, failure, or a stumbling block for God, others, and ourselves, and to protect our testimony, we must take action to build a wall of character around our hearts. We can safeguard our inner strength and integrity by controlling the gates of our senses – sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell – while also managing our inner thoughts and desires. By doing so, we will not only keep our hearts sacred and pure, but we will also ensure that our willpower remains faithful and true.

Reasons why a city needs a wall.

1. Sovereignty: The city boundary wall establishes its identity and jurisdiction. In a similar way, our hearts serve as the seat of our identity, with the Holy Spirit having jurisdiction over them.
2. Security: A wall helps protect the city from external threats and unauthorized entry. This is akin to protecting our hearts from negative and evil external influences.
3. Trade and Economy: Borders regulate the flow of goods, services, and people, which impacts trade and economic relations. Likewise, the condition of our hearts affects our relationships with others around us.
4. Resource Management: A wall defines access to and rights over natural resources. In the same way, our hearts govern our talents and our testimonies.

Walls and borders are more than just lines on a map - they significantly influence the political, economic, social, and cultural landscapes of regions and cities; just like the wall of character around our hearts notably influences our choices and purpose in life in relations to others around us.

3. RECOGNIZING THE OBSTACLES IN BUILDING THE WALL OF CHARACTER

“But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.” – Nehemiah 2:19, 4:1

As we begin to rebuild the walls of character in our lives, we will face obstacles similar to those encountered by Nehemiah, who dealt with Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. These individuals acted as adversaries, mocking, discouraging, and attempting to hinder Nehemiah and his people from constructing the wall. We must recognize that this process will not be easy, as there are evil forces determined to obstruct and undermine our efforts to build character. Just as Nehemiah faced three enemies, we too have three adversaries: Satan, the world, and ourselves.

4. ACTING WITH DETERMINATION TO BUILD THE WALL OF CHARACTER

“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.” – Nehemiah 4:6, 9

They put a system in place. Despite the opposition, they made their minds up and were determined to build the wall. They set up watches to protect those who were building the wall on a daily/nightly basis.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:31, “I die daily.” He is saying that constant daily work is required not only to establish character but also to preserve it. Using the Pocket Full of Character program, you apply this daily routine of building and sustaining character. Using Pocket Full of Character scripture references will aid in a believer’s daily growth in character because God says His Word always accomplishes its goal – Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

By using the daily and weekly inspirationals provided by Pocket Full of Character, you will build character with the aid of God's Word. Remember, He said His Word always works and will never return to Him void – a guarantee in building a wall of character.

5. COMPLETING THE MISSION TO BUILD THE WALL OF CHARACTER

“So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.” – Nehemiah 6:15-16

They completed the wall in September, taking just 52 days. When their enemies learned that the wall was complete, they felt defeated and distressed. Similarly, when we build a wall of character around our hearts, our adversaries will not approve of it. They will do everything they can to stop and discourage us. However, when we have a strong wall of character protecting our hearts, our enemies will remain unhappy and feel defeated as long as that wall stands.

There is a reason why those who oppose you may feel defeated. Your character is a strong wall that cannot be destroyed by your flesh, the world, or even Satan himself. It remains unbreakable as long as YOU maintain it. The only one who can tear down this wall of character is YOU and your will. If you do, your enemies will come in and take advantage of your downfall.

They were determined to build and in so doing they establish a daily system, and it took only 52 days for the Jews to construct their wall. In a similar manner, we have 52 character traits that Pocket Full of Character promotes as daily or weekly devotions, as well as quick personal strengthening meditations. You can choose to focus on each character trait daily over the course of 52 days, or opt to spend more time on each trait weekly, completing them in one year (52 weeks) or do both.

6. NEMEMIAH, THE WORKERS AND THE PEOPLE EXPERIENCED A REVIVAL.

“And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people … and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground … This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.” – Nehemiah 8:5-6, 9

After the wall was completed, they gathered around God’s Word with standing reverence. With raised hands, bowed heads, shouts of "Amen," and tears in their eyes, they blessed the Lord their God and declared the day holy.

Revival occurred just as it had when the foundation stone of the temple was laid by Ezra. The people wept and shouted so loudly that the surrounding cities could hear them. The completed wall was equally significant as the Temple itself. (Ezra 3:11-13)

This is the reason why revival has not broken out in our churches today. God's people are not ruling their spirits; their walls of character and Integrity are crumbling and broken down! We have allowed the sacred dwelling place of the Holy Spirit to be infested with the corruption of the world, the flesh, and the influences of Satan. However, when we begin to restore the wall of character around the temple of our hearts, revival becomes inevitable. Revival will spring forth, and NOTHING will be able to stop it. Our enemies will feel defeated and will recognize that the God of the Bible is the true God of the universe.

Regardless of whether you choose to use the daily or weekly method, it is beneficial to continue this exercise with regular reminders that will help instill and develop good character. This practice can safeguard your everyday decisions, actions, and attitudes.

Just as Nehemiah and his followers rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, we too must recognize that walls can be torn down and need to be rebuilt. If you complete the first round, continue using Pocket Full of Character daily or weekly as a way to not only build or rebuild but also maintain and preserve those walls. This will help keep our hearts, decisions, actions, and attitudes pure and upright.

In ancient times, a city without walls was vulnerable. Similarly, during Nehemiah’s time, the people and the temple in Jerusalem were exposed and defenseless. Our hearts, where God dwells and which represent our willpower, are similarly vulnerable. This is the essence of who we are and what we do on Earth. We only have one chance to make this count. So, let’s all have a mind to build!