Broken Down Walls      

 

( For he is our peace, who hath made both one,

and hath broken down the middle wall of partition

 between us; Ephesians 2: 14 )

 

Once I stood behind a wall, a wall of sin and shame,

The wall was high and ugly, and each brick had a name,

Bricks of hate and anger, bricks of fear and doubt,

Rebellion, pride and thousands more, that shut the sunlight out.

 

Each time I tried to scale it, to rid me of my fears,

More bricks of disappointment, dashed hopes, and bitter tears;

The walls closed in around me, and quickly it became,

A prison house, a dungeon,  with ball and lock and chain.

 

Then into that dark dungeon this glorious message came,

That Jesus really loved me, and died to bear my shame;

The cruel nails that pierced Him, each thorn that made His crown,

Each stripe He bore to save me and break the sin walls down.

 

I cried, ‘Dear Lord, forgive me, I give my heart to thee;

Oh wash me, cleanse me, heal me, set this poor prisoner free.’

A radiant light from heaven broke through the prison wall,

He snapped the chains and whispered, ‘I forgive you all.’

 

He chased away the darkness, He cast out all my fears,

With His gentle nail–scarred hands, He dried those bitter tears.

There is no condemnation, He bought me with His blood,

My sins are gone forever, beneath that crimson flood.

 

Now different walls surround me, of Holy fire and love,

For Jesus is my fortress, He guards me from above;

He is my sure foundation, my strong chief corner stone,

His light and love will guide me, and lead me safely home.

 

                                                          

 

From Poems by Doreen Irvine, ‘Life’ s Treasures‘ (1999).

 Doreen Irvine is also author of three books the most well known

 being,  ‘From witchcraft to Christ.‘