Walls Called Salvation
Caron Cline
Burke County
In the ancient world, walls were necessary for the protection of a city. Watchmen were placed upon those walls to warn the inhabitants of approaching enemies. The sounding of the trumpet provided adequate time for the men to arm themselves for battle. It was imperative that a city never is caught unaware of impending danger.
There is an interesting verse of Scripture in Isaiah 60:18 concerning the future of the city of Jerusalem. Isaiah warned the inhabitants of Israel of the coming judgment of God as a result of their disobedience to His Law, particularly their involvement in idolatry.
However, in the midst of such dire warnings, the Holy Spirit inspired a message of hope to the people for the future of God’s holy city. Isaiah 60:18 says, ‘Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise’.
The Hebrew word that is translated ‘salvation’ is ‘yesha’, and means ‘deliverance; prosperity; liberty’.
Basically, God promised that at some point in the future, His people would not be protected by walls of stone or brick but by His salvation. Temporal materials would no longer be necessary.
Isaiah 61:1-11 provides an even clearer picture of the One Who was to come as the provider of these future promises. A deliverer would arise and bring good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captives. Ancient ruins would be built up; former devastations would be raised up; the wealth of other nations would come and instead of shame, there would be a double portion – deliverance; prosperity; liberty.
Fast forward approximately 700 years to the birth of Jesus Christ. The angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to Mary in Luke 1:30. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus”. Matthew records the words of the angel of the Lord to Joseph in chapter 1 verse 21. “She (Mary) will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins”.
The name Jesus comes from the Hebrew name ‘Yeshua’ and means ‘to deliver; to rescue’. The name Jesus is the Greek form of the name Joshua, which means ‘God is our salvation’. The picture becomes even clearer as we read Matthew 1:23 which quotes the prophet Isaiah: “‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).
God has come to be with us, in the form of a man, Jesus. He has come to deliver and to rescue fallen humanity by providing salvation by grace through faith.
The debt of sin has been paid through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The offer of forgiveness for sin still stands available to anyone who will confess their sin, turn from that sin and commit themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus (God) is our salvation. He is our personal wall of protection and no weapon formed against the beloved of the Lord shall prosper. But there is yet another incredible gift from the Father of our Salvation. The resurrection and ascension of Jesus released the Holy Spirit to permanently indwell every child of God. Jesus said that whoever believed in Him, out of their innermost being would flow rivers of living water, symbolic of the Holy Spirit. This living water pours forth from the gates of our lips as a praise to our God for His great mercy and grace toward us. Our praise should echo the author of Psalm 146:1, ‘Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being’. Stand firm, child of God, as more than a conqueror. Your salvation is impenetrable and your praise continual!
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Caron is a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Morganton, NC. She loves to teach the word of God.
Her desire is to see every believer grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.
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