Article June 26, 1995 Issue

Building walls?

Cyprian Leslie Kheswa

Building walls for security has been in practice for thousands of years. We have had security walls around Jerusalem, medieval walls around Zurich and other cities in ancient Europe, and until recently the Berlin Wall divided the German nation. The Great Wall of China still straddles that subcontinent. In my home country of South Africa, the idea of building walls around suburbs that experience a high crime rate has been discussed.

Security must have been in the Psalmist's thought when he wrote, "Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling" (Ps. 91:9, 10). This implies that real security is not to be found in matter, within high walls or with armed guards, but in trusting God to care for us and in consciously abiding in Him, divine Love. Material weapons or walls are not a genuine source of security, though they may seem helpful at times. True security is based on an understanding of man's relation to God as His spiritual offspring, or idea, and of the nature of real being, which is wholly good.

Christ Jesus was very secure even in apparently dangerous circumstances. He faced the wrath of the Pharisees, the malicious opposition to his divine healing mission. And he said in reassurance to his disciples, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you" (Luke 10:19). The power Jesus gave to his disciples was no form of matter-based defense but the potent understanding that man is actually spiritual, not mortal. He is the beloved, spiritual child of God, forever dwelling securely in Spirit, not matter.

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