Biblical Vulnerability pt. 3

Strength in Love, kindness, & Compassion

Welcome to the kingdom citizens blog!

Repairing what's undefended, exposed, & weak.

We've begun investigating the building blocks of Biblical Vulnerability. By closely observing Boaz, Ruth, and Jesus Christ, we were able to analyze the proper way of interpreting and exhibiting vulnerability. This week we will observe scripture concerning breaches in our vulnerability. What does our line of defense look like in its current state? Are we prepared to defend against the wiles of the devil? How do we respond to intimidation, temptation, and fatigue? Take these questions seriously as we explore biblical truths concerning the undefended, exposed, and weak areas of our lives.

Sin is a yoke that makes our boundaries brittle but Christ has redeemed us so that we can be healed and fortified in Him.

Repairer's of the Breach

There are many literal references in the Bible to breaches that we can learn from figuratively — in meaningful ways that impact us spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Let us begin this lesson with what is written in Isaiah 58:9-12 concerning a significant breach in boundaries. Isaiah wrote chapter 58 about what true fasting is and how a proper fast beneficially impacts us as Kingdom citizens in Christ. Kingdom people help others. Sin is a yoke that makes our boundaries brittle. We are called to be repairers of the breach, beacons of breakthrough’s, not breaches that burden Baptisms in Christ.

Isaiah 58:9-12

9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

You will cry for help, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

If you remove the yoke from your midst,

The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,

10 And if you offer yourself to the hungry

And satisfy the need of the afflicted,

Then your light will rise in darkness,

And your gloom will become like midday.

11 And the Lord will continually guide you,

And satisfy your desire in scorched places,

And give strength to your bones;

And you will be like a watered garden,

And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.

12 Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;

You will raise up the age-old foundations;

And you will be called the repairer of the breach,

The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.

There are 2 critical “if-you” statements here between verses 9 and 10 that signify our need to initiate God’s goodness, rather than provoking His judgment. Yes, the Lord will permit you to wander lost in your wilderness in the dissatisfaction of your scorched place if you do not “remove the yoke from your midst” (v.9). There is a standard we must meet in walking in the light of the Lord. If we want the Lord to hear our cries, and heed our voice, we must first repent. Once we turn from wickedness, casting off its labors of darkness, we can expect our gloom to be like midday, our strength in our bones, our spring of water to be without fail, even in scorched places.

Understand that we can be a breach in our own lives by disregarding the standards of God. Yes, bad things can happen to innocent people. However, let's take into account the breaches that have occurred in our lives, not because God failed us or Satan is trolling us, but because of our own fallibility. One bad choice may not become a stumbling block. But continuously making detrimental decisions will cascade into the full erosion of our wellbeing. 

The Lord not only intends to protect us from ourselves and others but desires strongly to rebuild us in His image. Once He restores us into who He’s called us to be, we can then go out and replicate this process ourselves. It is God’s intention that we heal so that we can reestablish His standards on His foundational works. We are to be called the repairers of the breach! We are the restorer of our own streets! It’s time to quit blaming others and take a stand for our own. We are not victims of the world’s siegefworks. We are Kingdom citizens of the Most High God and children of the King of kings. It’s time we act like it!

What disruptions in God's established boundaries have you permitted and need Him to mend?

Breaking Down the "Breach"

In order to spark more meaningful conversations, let us dive deeper into what a breach is as referred to in Isaiah 58:9-12. According to Strong’s Hebrew: 6556, “breach” is the Hebrew noun, perets (peh'-rets). Perets means to breach or create breaches; breakthrough; a gap; a mishap. Literally and figuratively, perets refers to a breach that is a breaking or bursting forth. This definition biblically tends to refer to breaches in a wall or fortification, a child's burst from the womb, the bursting forth of rushing waters, and verbal or emotional outbursts of wrath. 

Figuratively, the biblical narrative driving perets derives from a sudden disruption in God’s orderly boundaries. The Lord demands obedience and is always seeking to repair any breaches in our relationship by way of faithful intercession, especially in cases of relinquishing His own divine judgment. What we must understand is that a breach is not a vulnerability itself, but the destructive exposure of a vulnerability. 

This is important to differentiate because the breach means it's too late to fix the destructive vulnerability. This is cause and effect. A breach is a consequence of there being a vulnerability. Unfortunately, the destructive vulnerability is the result or residue of a prior breach. This is a cycle that must be broken so that we can be made whole. Appropriately guarding our boundaries is important for this very reason.

Discerning between constructive vulnerability and destructive vulnerability can be the difference between a breach of confidence and cycle of trauma, and a flexibly fortified boundary that protects our peace of mind. Vigilance is important to us because each individual is a  steward over someone and something. We are accountable for ourselves if nothing more, which means we must carefully watch out for possible danger. Keep your head on a swivel, guarding against calamities invited in by our moral and spiritual breaches.

Jesus Christ is our Divine Repairer of the Breach. In His sacrificial vulnerabilities, He exposes us to faithful intercession. Our sincere repentance is met with His mercy where judgment should indict us. Let us be faithful servants in the house of our Lord, spreading His Gospel of hope and Salvation. Every fracturing breach where vulnerability has been mishandled can be met with Christ’s redemptive and healing touch. It is our joy to assist Him in allowing our own lights to rise in darkness while proclaiming His Righteousness to the nations.

SELAH.

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I kept this one short and sweet but make sure to stay tuned in for this next blog post so you don't miss out on your word of instruction and encouragement. We'll be taking a deep dive into scriptural wisdom on destructive vulnerabilities. In the meantime, be blessed. Thank you and Godspeed!

Scripture of Emphasis:

Nehemiah 6:1-3 (NASB)

^" Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach was left in it, although at that time I had not installed the doors in the gates, ² Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let’s meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were plotting to harm me. ³ So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and am unable to come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

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Thank You and God Bless!

Thank you for reading this blog. Your support and contribution is treasured here. Please continue to share this content so that God may work through us to be a benefit to others. I invite you to leave a comment and stay tuned in for the next blog. I pray that this blesses you and honor’s God. Let’s continue growing together as Kingdom Citizens in Christ. Show love, be kind, and trust in God. Thank you and God bless.

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