Day 4 The Valley Gate (Ten Days at Ten Gates)

Read day 4 in 10_Days_at_10_Gates

We are going through the Valley Gate today.  Here is an article about the Valley Gate.  Valley Gate

As I read about Gehenna and what they did outside this gate, it broke my heart.  I couldn’t help but recall the writings in Ezra and Nehemiah telling of the times of Israel sacrificing their children to Molech and Baal.  I thought to myself how could anyone do such a thing.

Then I continued to read,

“If you think about it, each one of us has
a smoldering garbage dump in our life. It’s
where we, too, discard shameful memories.
It is the place where we banish old and
embarrassing conversations, but whose
stubborn stench never quite fades away.
Gehenna is where the worms of humiliating
deeds refuse to die. Oh, how we would love
to skip this gate!”

Wow, did that hit hard.  It just so happens that August is and will forever be a month that I remember some of my biggest failures and mistakes.  The funny thing is in July, I think nothing of the shameful words and actions that are a memory now that took place in August 2018.  But, somehow, deep inside my body and mind the reality of those actions and the consequences of those actions are still there.  Each year since, as July ends, and August begins my heart, mind, and body remembers the path I took and where it lead.  Usually, at first I ask myself what is wrong with me, what is going on, I feel off, I am having anxiety, and my body is betraying me, and then it hits me all over again.  I remember.  It is like I am on the outside of the gate.  I am back in that place of shame and brokenness all over again.  But, as September comes, as the feast begin to approach, I look to my Healer, Redeemer, I look to Messiah, and I turn and walk back through the gate that leads to Zion.

Maybe you have past experiences that have hit you hard, and have left you scared.  I am so grateful that Yehovah never left me or forsook me, even when I went down into the valley.  No, even in that time in the valley, I heard His voice.  I listened and He lead me through some difficult days.  I would never take those difficult days in the valley back.  For those times in the valley taught me so much about myself, and my God.

Grant Lutton said exactly how I feel about the lessons I learned.

“God uses our past failures to teach us:
▶ Humility—without which, wisdom
finds no toehold
▶ Empathy—to extend understanding
and tenderness to other
damaged souls
▶ Reliance on God—because
our self-sufficiency has been
knocked out of us
▶ Brokenness—the welcome mat for
God’s spirit”

Abba Father,

Thank you for your kindness, patience, and faithfulness.  Thank you for always being with me even in the valley.  Thank you for allowing me to feel shame, so that I can know forgiveness.  Thank you for knowing me and choosing me.  I know Your ways are perfect and good, and you truly use all things for Your Glory and Good.  I ask that you continue to do the good work in me that You have begun.  Let me never be overtaken with shame and guilt that You have forgiven and freed me from, but let me also never forget the reality of the errors of my past.  Continue to teach me, guide, me, use me, and bless me.  So that I may be a blessing to You, Your people, and Your Kingdom.

In Yeshua’s Name,

Amen

Written by Katie