Have you ever seen my house? My house sits on a half-acre sized lot. Around the perimeter of the lot is a chain-linked fence that is about 4 feet high. The fence is just high enough to keep out unwanted wild animals like skunks, raccoons, fisher cats and neighborhood children. The fence is also low enough that it doesn't make me feel like I live in a box. I can jump the fence if I need to for some reason, though I can't think of a reason. Actually, I suppose the height of the fence is determined for aesthetic reasons. A 4-foot fence is more pleasing to the eye than a 7-foot fence. (I don't look like I'm trying to be a hermit.)

Additionally, the fence serves to define the boundary for my dog's patrol area. My dog appears to be quite vicious to those who don't know her. She has a glare that will bum a hole in you that seems to say, "Come near this fence and you'll lose an arm." In fact, however, she is quite harmless. She barks a good bark but she backs up if you continue to come in her direction. It seems she perfectly content to warn you about impending harm rather than cause any real harm by biting you. Nonetheless, she does deter the casual passersby.

The other day, however, I found a hole in my fence. It turns out that the fence was not quite as sturdy as I hoped and that some wild animals were able to intrude into my yard. Once I found the hole, I began working diligently to repair it and will continue to monitor the fence, investigating weak spots.

How is your fence? Does it have any holes in it? Do you know if it has any holes in it? Even if you don't know -about the holes in your fence, you can guarantee that Satan does. Consider Job 1:9, 10.

I have realized that my spiritual fence can be quite strong, when built and maintained by God. But when left to myself to maintain, it becomes weak. My watchdog is not always successful and wild animals come into yard. Sometimes I jump the fence of my own free will.

As I write this, I'm mindful of the young lady that went forward last week. How much she encouraged me! Anyone who has gone forward knows how difficult it is to do. Admitting sin to other people is never easy. It's hard enough to admit sin to God in prayer. I was personally encouraged because I remember how much trouble I had obeying God when I was her age. But I kept working with God to strengthen my fence. And I still work with God to keep it strong.

We all have sin. And many of us probably have the same sins. But with each other's support and God's Word, we can be repair our fences and keep back the wild animals. (Is. 1: 1 8)

My (physical) house doesn't really look like this, but it makes a good analogy.

Tom Mattox