“The houses you broke down to fortify the wall” (Isa. 22:10 NKJ).
This verse warns us about being hollow on the inside and placing our whole emphasis on externals.
Israel was facing a siege. The enemy was pounding at the gates of Jerusalem and trying to demolish the city walls. In order to provide materials to use to fortify the outer defenses of the city, the people began dismantling their own houses. The walls were thus kept at the expense of private homes.
People in the world today will often do the same thing: sacrifice their homes for a facade. Some people spend more time, energy, and money on external appearances than they spend on internal strengths and inner resources.
You and I continually meet people who are hollow. They are empty inside. They have concentrated so much on putting up a good front (that is what this verse is all about) that they have never developed any character or solid-quality integrity.
Happy is the Christian who has Christ enthroned in his heart. He can say confidently, “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.”
Christ dwelling in our hearts enables us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We do not have to sacrifice inner resources to beef up external walls. We are strong both inside and outside. The Lord in our life makes the difference.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.