MESSAGE GIDEON SAW OUR CONSOLATION

PRAYER - "Should Such A Man As I Flee?"

Sanballat and Tobiah tried desperately to stop Nehemiah from rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, but failed. On their second attempt, they accused him of rebelling against the king. Then they tried to seduce him outside the walls to capture him. Next, they sent a false prophet to scare him into hiding in the temple. But Nehemiah said, "Should such a man as I flee?" Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Nehemiah 6:14 - "My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess ...that would have put me in fear."

PRINCIPALS - "The Fish Gate"

The second gate that was repaired along the walls of Jerusalem was the fish gate. It is where the fish market was. When Nehemiah built up the fish gate, he helped to restore the fish trade. This reminds me of Jesus telling Peter and Andrew at Galilee, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Jesus was "fishing" for the souls of men for His eternal kingdom. Jesus told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Let there be "fish!" 

Nehemiah 3:3 - "The fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build."

PRINCIPLES - "The Old Gate"

The old gate was third to be repaired. Why rebuild the old gate? Jeremiah preached, "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Isaiah prophesied of great ones who would build again the old waste places and restore the old paths. The old way was a good way. All God's original works should speak to us continually. Never dismiss the lessons of your forefathers.

Nehemiah 3:6 - "Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada."

PROPHECIES - "The Valley Gate"

King Uzziah built a tower on the valley gate, overlooking Kidron Valley. Kidron is famous for many past and future conflicts, including Armageddon. We refer to our trials and tribulations as valleys. But David said, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." God told Ezekiel to prophesy to a valley full of dry bones, and they were all resurrected to become a mighty army. Nehemiah rebuilt the valley gate. We all must go in and out at the valley gate.

Nehemiah 3:13 - "The valley gate repaired Hanun."