But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, so that those who love your name may exult in you.
(Psalm 5:11 NRSV)

It was interesting to read in the news that the Los Angeles County School System has recently agreed to build a 10-foot-high and 300-foot-long wall beside the schoolyard at Zindbergh Junior High School. The $160,000 concrete wall is to serve as a bullet-barrier, protecting children from the frequent gunfire that erupts in the nearby neighborhood.

I wonder if anyone has thought of investing that money in the surrounding community to stop the hail of bullets rather than spending the money to build a wall? Yet that is actually a very accurate picture of how many Christians deal with areas of sin in their lives. They invest their energy trying to escape the consequences of the sin and trying to hide their deeds instead of deciding to forsake the act that is the root cause of their problems. Some of us are at home here. We are building walls of guilt and hiding fearfully behind them. We are prisoners of our past. Forgiveness through Jesus Christ can lead us to the path of true protection.

Paul tells us in Philippians 3:13 that we are to forget what is behind or in the past and strain on to that which lies ahead of us. We are to press on to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Do Not dwell on your past sin and Do Not spend your time trying to hide your sin, take refuge in the only one who can offer you true protection and forgiveness, Jesus Christ.

God of peace, forgive me and protect me. Amen.