“So they and their sons were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, that is, the house of the tabernacle, as guards. The gatekeepers were stationed on the four sides —on the east, west, north, and south. Their relatives in their villages were to come in every seven days from time to time to be with them; for these Levites, the four chief gatekeepers, had an official duty, and were in charge of the chambers and treasuries of the house of God. They spent the night around the house of God, for the [night] watch was theirs, and they were in charge of opening the house morning after morning.”
1 Chronicles 9:23-27 AMP
I was struck this morning by the listing of the four gates and as I sat in silence, remembering the gates of Old Jerusalem, the Lord spoke to my heart about four “gates” in me.
In ancient Biblical times, the “gatekeepers” were responsible to keep the Temple or Tabernacle clean. The Hebrew word used in the passage is “šôʿēr” – the word for janitor or porter.
When I was young, my Aunt had a janitorial business where she cleaned primarily medical offices and warehouses. We went to help her on occasion, and as I recall, it was hard, dirty work! Few people would enjoy deep cleaning a public bathroom every night but she got it done. Being a janitor is not a viewed as a glorious profession; however, we certainly notice when they are there and when they are not. As Believers, we are now the Temple where His Spirit rests and as such, we are the porters and carry a weighty responsibility to guard our gates and those of our children.
The Lord spoke to me about four gates I am to guard: Eye Gate, Ear Gate, Mouth Gate, and Soul Gate (mind, will, emotions). What I see, what I listen to, what I talk about, what I think about and dwell on, and what I say about myself, to my children, or to others, it all matters. All of it either magnifies G-d over my life and those I encounter or it magnifies the enemy. There is no in between.
The passage above also speaks about the night watch. It’s a reminder to me that it is a 24-hour a day responsibility to guard the gates of my spirit. Our spirits are most vulnerable at night when we are not actively filtering what we hear or see.
The gates of our hearts and minds should be as fortified as the walls that surround Jerusalem. Immovable. Unshakable. Steady.
When I turn off the TV and change the radio, when I take my thoughts captive and measure my words, I’m fortifying my spirit.
May I be ever mindful today of what I’m allowing in. May I be a good and diligent “janitor” of my gates. May I prepare the atmosphere of my heart to be one He can find rest in.
Father – You are gracious and kind. Thank You for Your conviction and truth. Quicken my spirit to what gates are weak. Guard my heart and mind. Renew me with Your truth today. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 7-10