Rebuild the Walls of Protection for the Church

The clouds hung in the distance, vast and ominous, moving slowly yet purposefully. Their fluffy white forms gradually morphed into a menacing gray, then deepened into a mass of black, thunderous billows. The foreboding storm displayed all the signs of its impending devastation, filling the air with an almost tangible dread. Fear gripped us as lightning streaked across the sky, and the deafening roar of thunder seemed to shake the earth beneath our feet. Exposed in an open field, we had nowhere to hide from the fury about to descend. We desperately longed for a simple umbrella to shield us from the coming deluge.

This imagery mirrors the storms of life—the challenges, temptations, and trials that threaten to overwhelm us. The storms are here, and it is raining. Yet, you have no umbrella!

The Umbrella of Protection

Growing up, I often heard an illustration about the "umbrella of protection." The concept was simple yet profound: As children, we were to remain obedient to the authorities placed over us—our parents and others in positions of responsibility. By staying "under the umbrella," we were safeguarded from the dangers and pitfalls of the world. Conversely, stepping out from under this umbrella left us exposed and vulnerable.

This principle is rooted in Scripture, beginning with the family. Ephesians 6:1-3 teaches, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Similarly, Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16 reiterate the promise that honoring one's parents leads to blessings and longevity.

The message is clear: obedience and submission to God-given authority provide protection. This principle is about avoiding physical harm and encompasses spiritual, emotional, and moral well-being. The family structure serves as the foundational "umbrella" of protection, beginning with parents who guide and nurture their children.

God's Design for Authority

From the very beginning, God established authority as a means of protection. God gave Adam and Eve a single command: to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This command was not arbitrary but a boundary meant to safeguard them. If they had remained obedient, they would have continued to live under God's perfect protection. Their disobedience, however, led to devastating consequences.

This principle extends beyond the family to other spheres of life. God places various "umbrellas" of authority over us for our benefit:

1.    The Family: Within the home, the responsibility of guiding the children is entrusted to the parents. This structure ensures that children learn obedience and respect, preparing them for life's more significant challenges. Ephesians 6:1 emphasizes that obedience is right because it aligns with God's design, not because parents are infallible.

2.    Government: God also establishes governing authorities to maintain order and justice. Romans 13:1-5 reminds us to submit to these authorities, as God ordains them to promote good and restrain evil. By honoring and obeying the laws of the land, we contribute to a peaceful and orderly society.

3.    The Workplace: In the professional realm, submission to authority takes the form of respecting our employers. Ephesians 6:5-7 and Colossians 3:22-25 encourage workers to serve with sincerity and diligence as if serving Christ Himself. Such obedience honors God and fosters a positive testimony to those around us.

4.    The Church: Spiritual authority is another critical "umbrella" of protection. Hebrews 13:7 and 13:17 call us to honor and obey those who lead us in the faith, recognizing their role in watching over our souls. Pastors and church leaders serve as shepherds, guiding us in truth and shielding us from false teachings.

The Consequences of Rebellion

What happens when we step out from under these God-ordained umbrellas? The answer is evident in Scripture and life: chaos, destruction, and loss of protection. Adam and Eve's disobedience brought sin and death into the world. Cain's rejection of God's counsel led to fratricide and exile. Throughout history, rebellion against authority has resulted in broken families, fractured societies, and spiritual ruin.

When we fail to submit to the authorities in our lives, we expose ourselves to the storms of life without shelter. Disobedience leaves us vulnerable to the enemy's attacks, the consequences of sin, and the pain of fractured relationships. As the ominous clouds gather, we find ourselves unprotected, wishing we had stayed under the umbrella.

Rebuilding the Walls

This concept is particularly urgent in the context of the church. Many churches today suffer because they have forsaken submission to God's design for authority. Men fail to lead their families spiritually, wives resist submitting to their husbands, children rebel against their parents, citizens dishonor their governments, employees defy their employers, and believers disregard their pastors. This breakdown of submission leaves the church vulnerable to division, false teachings, and ineffectiveness in its mission.

The solution begins with rebuilding the "walls" of authority within the church, as illustrated in the book of Nehemiah. Just as Nehemiah led the people to restore Jerusalem's physical walls, we must restore the spiritual walls of obedience and submission. This principle of rebuilding the walls of protection with God-given authorities requires humility, repentance, and a renewed commitment to God's order.

Conclusion

The storms of life are inevitable, but we are not without hope. In His wisdom and love, God has provided us with umbrellas of protection—structures of authority designed to shield us from harm and guide us in righteousness. We find safety, blessing, and peace by staying under these umbrellas.

Let us examine our lives and the areas from which we may have stepped out under God's protection. Whether in the family, workplace, church, or society, submission to God's ordained authority is not a burden but a blessing. As the storm clouds gather, may we find refuge under the shelter of His divine design.