Nehemiah 3:8

Cities well fortified have broad walls, and so had Jerusalem in her glory. The New Jerusalem must, in the same way, be surrounded and preserved by a broad wall of nonconformity to the world, and separation from its customs and spirit. The tendency of these days breaks down the holy barrier, and makes the distinction between the church and the world merely nominal.

Professing Christians are no longer strict and Puritanical; questionable literature is widely read, frivolous pastimes are commonly indulged in, and a general laxity threatens to deprive the Lord’s peculiar people of those sacred singularities which separate them from sinners. It will be a terrible day for the church and the world when the proposed amalgamation is complete, and the sons of God and the daughters of men are as one: then another deluge of wrath will be ushered in. Beloved reader, let it be your aim in heart, in word, in dress, in action to maintain the broad wall, remembering that the friendship of this world is enmity against God.

The broad wall provided a pleasant place of resort for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, from which they could see views of the surrounding country. This reminds us of the Lord’s exceeding broad commandments, in which we walk at liberty in communion with Jesus, overlooking the scenes of earth and looking out towards the glories of heaven.

Separated from the world, and denying ourselves all ungodliness and fleshly lusts, we are nevertheless not in prison, nor restricted within narrow bounds; indeed, we walk at liberty, because we keep his precepts.

Come, reader, this evening walk with God in his statutes. As friend met friend upon the city wall, so meet your God in the way of holy prayer and meditation. The bulwarks of salvation you have a right to traverse, for you are a freeman of the royal city, a citizen of the metropolis of the universe.