Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. (Psalm 24:7, NIV)
“We serve men and women in and around the game of golf who are willing to honestly investigate matters of God.” Here is the mission of Links Players, and in many cases, though not all, its activities occur behind the gates and doors of country clubs. These are places where matters of God are not the most common topic of conversation.
In the ancient period, city gates and doors were known as the place where the respected men did business. Those gates also provided safety from intruders at night. Solomon’s Temple had multiple gates of different sizes with heavy doors, and each gate held significance and purpose. The Pharaohs of Egypt built their palaces and temples with massive gates to show their power over the people.
The gates in our communities today might look different—they might even be invisible—but it feels as if they serve similar functions as the gates of old. We use them to control the flow of people, for protection and for prestige. We even put security guards at our gates where an ID is required for entrance. In much the same way, we build gates around our hearts. Clearly, not everyone is welcome.
According to commentator Benjamin Sommer, the Hebrew idiom “to lift one’s head,” can mean to act joyously, to act proudly, to act boldly. While we create gates and doors for privacy and protection, God turns them into an entrance for his presence where all are welcome. An entryway where sorrow becomes rejoicing, complaint turns to gratitude, and fear bows to love.
In a few weeks we will remember and celebrate Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. During the first century, the gates and ancient doors of the Temple presented a physical boundary where God’s presence resided. When the curtain tore and Jesus conquered the grave, the gates rejoiced and the doors opened boldly.
The same thing can happen with the gates and doors of our heart. Let them be lifted up so that the King of glory may come in.
We will probably always live in a world with gates, borders and walls. But there is good news! Jesus, who is the King of glory, is at the door.
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Tracy Hanson
March 12, 2015
Copyright 2015 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.