Open the Gates to Light

Meditation from Nehemiah Chapter 7

After the wall had been built Nehemiah gives the charge over Jerusalem to Hanani. His two characteristics are exemplary. He was Faithful & Feared God (7:2).

1. Faithfulness - We can understand faithfulness better only when we understand that we are "stewards".
That is, God is the owner and He has given to us time, talents, money, relationships, His Son, the Bible and everything.

When I understand that I am a steward and I need to give account to everything to God, I will be faithful in everything.

2. Fear of God - This fear is not fear based on 'fear of punishment' but on the fact that He deserves our fear, respect and it's out of love for God.

Fear of God is to acknowledge His undeparting presence and to live in conscious awareness of His presence all the time.

When we talk about faithfulness and fear of God one another person's life in the Bible that strikes chord is of Joseph in the Old Testament. Because he was faithful God put him in charge of responsibilities. Because he feared God he overcame the temptation and declared, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9).

Even though the walls of Jerusalem are built, Nehemiah gives a warning to not open the gates until the sun is hot (7:3).

This teaches a beautiful truth to safeguard faithfulness & fear of God.

Jerusalem was under threat of attack by the enemy. That's why Nehemiah exhorts to not open the gates in the dark.

Likewise, even though the walls of our spiritual life are built in Christ, we are prone to the attack of the evil one and temptations. These attacks enter through the gates of the senses. 

We need to be very careful about what we see, what we hear, what we touch, etc. And we need to set a guard to our eyes, ears & mind.

It's must be a strong decision to not open the gates of senses to darkness but only to light.

When we are careful to set guard to our senses and to be faithful in everything because we fear God, He will set us responsible over more things for His glory.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You

I want to see only that pleases You 

Today's Intercession:

# Pray for the General elections of our country India which begins on 11th April.

# Pray for smooth proceedings, clean and peaceful polling.

# Pray for all eligible citizens to vote. And to vote not for money but to elect right people and right government.

# Pray for the government to be elected according to God's will and that will truly work for people's development and eradicate all forms of evil in the society.

Have a blessed day!