Gatekeepers
Throughout history, Gatekeepers were an important part of society. Cities built walls around themselves to protect them from animals and enemies who would destroy the city. It was the Gatekeepers who were placed at the gates to protect the door who were the first line of defense for these towns and cities. In modern days we call them guards, doormen, security, and the military, but they are all Gatekeepers nonetheless. They protect and keep our cities, homes, and businesses safe.
Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates.
Nehemiah 12:25 NIV
It is quite the paradox that the Bible tells us that it is not the things we gather in life that are important, but the value we place on our souls, the helping of others, and the relationship we have with the lord. Those are the things that need guarding, not the doors to our buildings. Yet we still buy our doorbell cameras and have guards placed around those things we consider valuable. As we should, we do work hard for our things and we should place value on our personal safety. But what about our spiritual safety?
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
Have you placed a gatekeeper around your spirit to protect your soul from the marauders who would like nothing more than to bust open those gates and take the valuables from within? To protect what is most important requires little effort. I remember a while back ( more like 20-plus years ago) I was at a conference and the speaker introduced us to the concept of GIGO. GIGO stands for garbage in garbage out and was originally a term for computer programmers. It meant if you put bad data into the computer bad data comes out.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Psalm 37:7-9 ESV
The same goes for our hearts and minds. If we are constantly feeding both hateful, mean-spirited things the same comes out and we lose contact with the Lord. Watching TV shows that constantly spout how terrible one side or the other is, excusing bad behaviors we see as just part of life, listening to friends talk about others in negative ways, all is garbage in. and yes, you guess it, garbage comes out.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
Proverbs 15:16 ESV
To combat this world we need to place a gatekeeper around our hearts and soul. Remembering to foster our relationship with the Lord, protect our attitudes, and watch our own behavior is to guard ourselves against those that would tear us down. The Lord is the ultimate Gatekeeper and can help you if you, but ask.
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
John 10:3 NIV
