English Devotion - Valley Gate

Valley Gate 
Nehemiah 3:13
We have been Journeying through the gates of Nehemiah and how the people of Israel work
together to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem
There were 10 gates mentioned in the rebuilding of the walls. We looked at what these gates
were used for and how they remind us of Jesus and His finished work on the Cross!
We have learned about 3 gates. 
Sheep Gate: reminds us that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Through him we have been saved. 
Fish Gate: which reminds us that we are people called to be fishers of men. How desperate we
need to repair these gates. 
Old Gate: reminds us that Jesus makes us New Creations. 
Today, we are looking at the 4th gate the Valley Gate. 
When Nehemiah first went to examine the walls of Jerusalem, he went out through the Valley
Gate
(Nehemiah 2:13)
The Valley Gate is probably named that because it overlooked the Hinnom Valley, one of the
several valleys surrounding Jerusalem.
The Valley Gate overlooked the Valley of Hinnom and the Valley of Kidron. 
It is located along the eastern side of Jerusalem between the Temple Mount and the Mount of
Olives. 
To the South of the city Kidron joins the Valley of Hinnom. The pool of Gihon is located in the
Kidron Valley.
The Hinnom Valley is noted for judgment and destruction by fire.
The word translated Hell in the New Testament is from the word “Gehenna” which comes from
the Hebrew word Gehinnom or Hinnom.
The Valley of Kidron and pool of Gihon represents the mercy of God where he will restore us.
Jeremiah 31:38-40. 

Together they represent God’s judgment upon His enemies as well as his mercy.
What does the Valley Gate remind us of?
Jesus is with us in the Valley.
A valley is a low area of land between hills or mountains. It can be a beautiful place with
streams of water, but it is often seen as a dangerous place too.
The sheep and people walking through the valley are often vulnerable to predators and robbers
who are hiding in the hills/mountains.
When we walk on mountain tops, we usually associate them with victory or success or good
times. 
When we talk about valleys, we normally associate them with the low and tough times in life.
All of us will go through difficult times. 
In Psalm 23, David writes about the Good Shepherd and how He takes care of the sheep. 
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we are all like the helpless little sheep. The Lord is my
Shepherd, I shall not want. 
The Good Shepherd takes care of the sheep, provides for their needs, brings them to green
pastures and cool waters.
Then David writes, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”  (Psalm 23:4)
The “valley of the shadow of death” might sound scary. 

But we don’t have to be afraid when we go through valleys. Because Jesus is with us. His rod
and His staff comfort us. Whatever difficult and tough times we go through, Jesus is there to
take care of us and to protect us, and He will bring us through the valley!
The Valley Gate reminds us that Jesus is with us in the Valley!

Father in Heaven, we come before you to stand in the Gate of the Valley to pray for the
inheritance it represents for Israel and the nations of the earth. We lift up the prayer and cry
out to you for Mercy covering our land and our Church. In Jesus Name. Amen.