You Think You Have It Bad (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

Mark shared about Nehemiah last week and re-building the wall. It was a good work that garnered opposition from the enemy and abuse from his own people. In spite of all that…he completed the wall restoration in 52 days!
 
Once the wall was completed and the people living within its safety…Nehemiah worked for YEARS not just days in reviving and reforming the people. The same thing is happening today…people come into the safety of Jesus and yet it is a long journey for our transformation
 
The book of Nehemiah…it is an illustration of Jesus’ life too:

• There is restoration, like Jesus did
• Nehemiah gives up a high position to identify with the people, like Jesus did
• He had a specific mission and fulfills it, like Jesus did
• Nehemiah’s life is founded on a prayerful dependence upon God, like Jesus did

 
And…in spite of opposition from within and without, Nehemiah:

• Rebuilt the temple
• Reconstructed Jerusalem
• Renewed the covenant with God
• Reformed the people

 
And YOU think you have it bad…what a work was accomplished through Nehemiah by God.
 
Finally…one last observation about the wall…it had GATES. That meant ACCESS into the holy city of Jerusalem AND the Temple (the residence of God). What a word picture of our life in Christ today too.
 
Gates – Nehemiah 3:
 
Sheep Gate – Jesus is called the Lamb of God...you must enter into the safety, salvation and presence of the Lord through this gate
 
Fish Gate – we must be fishers of men
 
Old Gate – it leads to the new section of the city…just like the Old Testament leads to the New Testament
 
[Broad Wall (not gate) is mentioned – Jerusalem was restored as far as this section – broad are the ways of the world! Then there was the Tower of Furnaces – that tells us there will be the heat of our trials]
 
Valley Gate – symbolizes the journey (Tho I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil)
 
Refuse Gate – exit only – throw out sin
 
Fountain Gate – in Jesus is the water of life
 
Water Gate – reminds us of the Water of the Word
 
Horse Gate – the strength for the journey is not yours…it’s what you’re riding on (Jesus)
 
East Gate – reminds us of worship…He tells us to look to the east for His coming
 
Inspection Gate – keep inspecting your ways to assure they are God’s ways
 
So…
 
When you think you have it so bad, just remember all the examples of God’s people who’ve had it even worse.
 
Remember…
 
Enter through the “Sheep Gate” of Jesus into the holy presence of God…AND STAY THERE…it was built just for YOU.
 
God bless you always.

NOW GO LIVE IT!

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