My life's reflection through the Book of Nehemiah: GATES - THE VALLEY GATE

 

 

The next gate which was built, was the Valley Gate and this gate opened out to the Valley of Hinnom.

 

Per definition, a valley is a low area between hills and mountains, often with a river running through it.  When it rains, the water always runs down into the river and the river constantly flows.

 

And the same effect happens in our spiritual life:

Between all mountain tops (highs) there are always valleys (lows).  The bigger the mountains, the deeper the valley...

 

The Valley Gate speaks to me of humbling and trials:  Valley type experiences are never easy but are used by the Lord for our personal growth. 

 

In the natural nothing really grows on the mountain tops, but it certainly does down in the valleys.  And the deeper you go into the valley and the closer you get to the river, the more richer and lusher vegetation you find. 

 

Also, in winter time, nature hibernate and all trees are pruned.  I could never understand why, but it was once explained to me that the more you prune a tree, the stronger its root system develops and it then in turn yields bigger and better fruit/flowers.

  

Prov 12:3

A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall never be moved.

Prov 12:12

.... the root of the righteous yields richer fruitage.

 

 

Jesus even said in the parable of the sower, that if the root is not secure "when affliction or trouble or persectuion comes..... at once he is caused to stumble.... and begins to distrust Him (God)... and he falls away." (Matt 13:21)

 

The Word says that we should walk in union and conformity with Him, "having your roots firmly and deeply planted in Him, fixed and founded in Him" (Col 2:6-7) AND that we must "abide in Him, be rooted in Him, knitted to Him" (1 John 2:27 AMP)

 

BECAUSE

 

It contains the power to save our souls when the Word is implanted and rooted in our hearts!!!! (James 1:21)

 

 

So, instead of moaning and complaining about the valley, lets look at why its actually really good for us:

 

1.  Jesus is "like a refiner's fire and like fuller's soap." (Mal 3:2)

• It is in the valley that the Lord clears away the rubbish so that true faith, refined by fire, can come forth and produce fruit.

2.  "Any branch in Me (Jesus) that does not bear fruit, He cuts away; and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit." (John 15:2)

• Its in the valley that I spend time in the presence of God Almighty, on my knees, humbled before Him, being pruned so that my fruits become richer (in spirit AND in character).

3.  The horse "exults his strength; he goes out to meet the ...armed men.  He mocks at fear and is not dismayed and terrified; neither does he turn back in battle from the sword..." (Job 39:19-23)

• Its in the valley that even a horse gets his strength and is not fearful and you gain strength to not retreat when the battle is too fierce.

4.  ".... though I walk through the deep valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil..." (Ps 23:4)

• Its in the valley that His rod protects me and His staff guides me (Ps 23:4); where the Spirit of the Lord causes His people to rest (Is 63:14) and lie down (Is 65:10).

 

5.  ".... the Lord... brought me out in the Spirit and set me down in the midst of a valley; and it was full of bones"  (Ezek 37)

• It is in the valley that we will see "dead bones" from God's perspective and find His wisdom on how to deal with our dead situations and prohesy over it.

 

6. "..... I will ... make the Valley of Achor (troubling) to be a door of hope and expectation.  And she shall sing...." (Hos 2:14-16)

• It is in the valley that God turns our troubles into hope and expectation and where we will sing again.  I will have also intimate relationship with Father and I will call Him "My Husband". (Hos 2:16)

7.  "Most blessed is the man who believes in the Lord and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters ....." (Jer 17:7-9)

• It is in the valley by the River of Life (Jesus) where I will not fear when heat comes and I will not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought NOR cease yielding fruit.  Its where I learn to trust God. 

 

8.  "......from the fish's belly.......I cried out of my distress to the Lord... and You heard my voice...." (Jonah 2:1-9)

• It is in the valley that we, like Jonah; realise our frailty; cry out to God; and declare that salvation and deliverance belong to God.

 

9.  "......in the Valley of Elah..... David took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones..... and David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts...."

• It is in the valley that we, like David, realise that God is the only One Who is able to defeat our giants, give us perspective and promote us to the hills of victory.

 

In conclusion:

I have learned in my walk with God that the more I just go with the valley experience process and allow it to shape me, the better and sweeter our relationship get, AND.... the stronger character I develop......

AND

The valley experience is not forever, for there is always a hope of ascension onto higher places after my valley moments......

 

Clearing away the rubbish in our lives is never easy but the benefits of this experience can be seen in the next gate......