Scripture to Read: Nehemiah 3:13-14
The next two gates we read about in Nehemiah 3:13-14 are the Valley Gate and the Refuse Gate. The Valley Gate led out of the city of Jerusalem, down into the valley. The Valley Gate represents humility. We must choose to humble ourselves in the same way Christ humbled Himself. God gives us the perfect example of humility in Christ. In Philippians 2:3-8, God lays out for us how to humble ourselves in the same way Christ humbled Himself. We must choose to empty ourselves, humble ourselves, and walk in complete obedience to our Lord and His Word. We also read about the Refuse Gate being rebuilt. All the filth and garbage from the city was carried out through the Refuse Gate. The Refuse Gate symbolizes any of the filth and garbage we allow into our lives when we sin against our Lord and King. God tells us in 1 John 1:9 that we are to confess (agree with, admit, acknowledge) our sins and that God is the one who is faithful to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we confess any sin that the Holy Spirit brings to mind, we can rest and trust that God cleanses us completely. We can also thank God for the incredible gift of forgiveness that we have through our Lord Jesus Christ. Confessing is not asking for anything, but it is admitting we have sinned so that we stay in right fellowship with our God and not grieve or quench Him (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about choosing humility and confessing sin?
2. How will you choose to walk humbly this week? How will you choose to listen to God so there is no sin unconfessed?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!