Stinky Stuff

O. T. #1047  "Stinky Stuff"
August 22, 2017
Nehemiah 3-Part 4


LET IT GLOW

Stinky stuff, garbage. No one likes the job of disposal of it. Certainly, we do not want it around us. We do our best to get it out the door of our house as soon as possible. That is what the trash can or dumpster is for, right?. Well, Jerusalem needed such a gate through which to remove their garbage. Carry on with me. We might have the same need our self.

Anyone gone through the Valley Gate lately? Things can be quite unpleasant when we get inside. It is not a place we desire to visit, but is often needful. Jesus can work on our life, pulling up weeds so we bare more fruit of the Spirit. The Jews needed this gate, too. Shall we find out why?

The fourth gate in need of repair on the wall around Jerusalem was the Valley Gate. Maps show us it was located on the west  and south sides. You have to go down into a valley in order to get out of Jerusalem.

Archeologists speculate the workers had to terrace the slope to create and to brace the foundation for the wall. (Hope Under Construction by Gene Getze)

The construction on the west side was a huge undertaking. There was over 500 yards of the wall that needed repaired, between the Valley Gate and the Dung Gate. We read of the commitment of Hanun and the residents of Zanoah.

It reminds us of humility before the Lord. In Philippians 2, we see Christ descending from the glories of heaven into the valley of human limitation and even death. (Wiersbe)

We don't like the valleys in our life, do we? However, it is often there that we desperately turn to God with a humble heart. Circumstances and people knock us to our knees in prayer. And there we find Jesus standing at the gate, holding it open for His child. We do not go through the valley of the shadow of death alone, as David wrote about in Psalm 23. We should not fear evil, for He is with us. We find His  comforting rod and staff.

The Valley Gate is the gate of humility, the gate of humbleness. God sometimes has to lead us through trials and difficulties in order to teach us some lessons. We are told that faith develops in us different virtues, and one of them is lowliness of mind. Colossians 3:12 calls it humbleness of mind.
(J.V. McGee)

Is faith developing in our valley?
Hang in there, for we will get through this.


LET IT GROW

The fifth gate was important to the health of the city. It was known as the Dung Gate or Refuse Gate. Not much is said about it. It was located at the southwest angle of Mount Zion. It is where the garbage and filth was carried out of Jerusalem. Garbage is useless, stinky, unneeded. We definitely do not want it around, that stinky stuff.

Paul spoke of our cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit in 2 Corinthians 7:1. Honest confession is the means by which we get out the garbage in our life. Got any garbage-jealousy, pride, strife, materialism, fear? It is good to check every now and then.

1 John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

So now I understand  why the Valley Gate and the Dung Gate are needed in our Christian life. It's not easy nor enjoyable for us to experience those times, but profitable.

LET IT GO

Trust Jesus while going through the Valley Gate in my life.

Get rid of the useless garbage in my life that exists.