February 23

“Come and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.” Nehemiah 2:17

Separation to God, which means separation from the world, is a first principle of Christian living. If God wants his city with its measurements and its glory in eternity, then we must build in human hearts the wall which is the first feature of that city.

Nehemiah in his day succeeded in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, but only in the face of great opposition. For Satan hates distinctiveness; separation of men to God he cannot abide. Nehemiah and his colleagues armed themselves, therefore, and thus equipped for war they laid stone to stone. Let us follow their lead. Let us guard as precious all that is of God and be uncompromising in our separation unto him. There is a reproach to be removed and we are called to build. This is a matter of first importance.