John 14:25-26 New
International Version (NIV)
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But
the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will
teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Before Jesus left this earth, He told his disciples that He
would send His Holy Spirit to instruct them and to remind them of all that He
had taught them. He told them that they would be at peace knowing the Holy
Spirit would be their constant companion and guide into truth. The Holy Spirit
also searches our hearts to see if there is any damage that is hindering our
spiritual growth. Nehemiah, like the Holy Spirit, searched out the damaged
walls in Jerusalem in order to repair them. Repairing the walls would protect
the city from their enemies. The walls had been nearly destroyed by the
conquering Babylonians, and now his task was to assess the damage and plan a
strategy to rebuild. As he set out at night to view the damage, he went through
the Valley Gate. Likewise, the Holy Spirit “inspects” our walls. The Lord says
that our walls are ever before Him: See, I have engraved you on the palms of my
hands; your walls are ever before me. (Isaiah 49:16) The Holy Spirit often
works in the times that we are in the “valley,” those times of despair,
frustration, and hopelessness. He examines the dark places, assessing the
damage, and sets out to repair and restore the broken-down places. Paul
understood that the difficult times are opportunities for the Lord to work
“good” in us, growing in us the character of Christ. (Romans
5:1-5) Nehemiah understood that when examining the damage to the walls, it was
necessary to first examine the gates. The gates are the entry points for the
enemy. If the gates are broken down, the enemy has access to the city. If our
gates are broken, the enemy has access to our thought life, and this will be
reflected in our actions. Nehemiah represents the Holy Spirit, systematically
seeking to build and repair any place where the enemy could potentially enter
our lives.
Ask the Holy Spirit to inspect your heart and identify areas
that may be broken – in need of forgiveness or in need of giving forgiveness –
any area where you harbor bitterness, anger, lack of self-control, or hurt.
Invite Him into those areas to repair the brokenness, and He will deliver you
out of the hands of the enemy and into the loving arms of God.
Thought for Today: How is the security at the gate?
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