"At The Gate"

"And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate." Isaiah 28:6

"And for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate." Gates give access and entry into a place. In the Bible days cities were often enclosed within walls, so if you entered into the city you had to go through the gate. At night the gates were closed so that no one could enter in.

When an enemy would come to attack a city, the goal of those protecting it was to stop them at the gate- at the entrance and not allow them to come in and take over the city. It would be easier to insure victory if the adversary was stopped at the gate, once they got into the city the battle would be more intense.

The lesson we learn here is that when the enemy comes to attack our lives, we need to stop him at the "gate". We need to stop him at the place of access and not allow him to come in. To coin a phrase, we need to "nip it in the bud"- stop it before it gets started, don't allow it to come any further, stop it right there at the "starting" place. In our case, stop the enemy before he has a chance to advance into our lives and set up his strongholds and bondages.

Many are wrestling with things in their lives because they did not stop it at the gate. When that temptation came, they didn't capture it then and there. They gave into it and as a result it gained access into their lives, so now they are always battling with it. This is why you must battle the enemy at the gate. In doing so he is prevented from coming any further and taking over.

We have been given strength through Christ to be victorious in preventing the enemy from gaining access into our lives, but we have to do battle against him. And the battle is more easily won at the gate. Let me give a note of encouragement here to those who did not fight him at the gate but gave him access and are having to battle him constantly. The same Jesus who gives strength and victory at the gate is the same Jesus who will give strength and victory to drive out the enemies that have already gained access. So don't give up... drive him out!!!

Have a great day. When the enemy tries to gain access into your life, don't let him make it past the gate, stop him there.