I went out by night by the Valley Gate
to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of
Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate
and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me
to pass. 15 Then I went up in the
night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by
the Valley Gate, and so returned.
THE STUDY:
This morning’s reading is
going to be a little longer than usual. Verses 13-15 are connected in a special
way. They describe the late night tour of the city walls.
This night journey around
the walls of the city is deeply moving. Who that has any real care for the
people of God has not known something of it? The nobles and rulers and all the
people are enveloped in slumber, but this lonely man, whose heart God has
touched, keeps his midnight vigil, and goes from gate to gate and tower to
tower, noting with deepest sorrow and concern the breaches sin has made.[1]
What was needed was a
fresh pair of eyes! When someone is in the midst of a situation such as the
people of Jerusalem they become accustomed to their surroundings. They have
adapted to the unsecure city and so this may explain why no one in the city was
moved by what they saw. Nehemiah was moved by what he had heard but he was
driven after what he had seen.
WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY
WITH ….
- We walk away this morning with the understanding that hearing about a terrible situation and seeing it first hand is miles apart. You may be moved by what you hear but you will be driven by what you see.
APPLICATION:
On September
11, 2001 I remember watching, in horror, the scenes that took place in New York
City, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania. Seeing those images over and over again on
TV was like having a knife piercing my heart. I remember talking to others and
they would say the same thing. Personally, I have never met a person who
experienced this tragedy first hand. But, I would be safe to say, what I saw on
TV doesn’t compare to what emotions that person experienced firsthand.
Let us
remember that as we hear about difficult situations in other’s lives, churches,
communities, or countries it is only scratching the surface to what emotions
those involved are experiencing. If you are the one experiencing those things
firsthand know that Jesus is with you and will help you through it. If you know
of a similar situation, lift it up in prayer.
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
[1]
Ironside, H. A. (1913). Notes on the Book
of Nehemiah (20–21). New York: Loizeaux Bros.
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