DCLM Sincere Milk 29 March 2024 — Children as Gatekeepers
DCLM Sincere Milk 29 March 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Children as Gatekeepers
Topic: Children as Gatekeepers
Text: 1Chronicles 9:12-20
12And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
14And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;
15And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;
16And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.
17And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief;
18Who hitherto waited in the king’s gate eastward: they were porters in the companies of the children of Levi.
19And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry.
20And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.
Key Verse: “And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle:” 1 Chronicles 9:19a
Message
A gatekeeper refers to a person who is kept at the gate of a house or city to control who comes in and who goes out.
In Biblical days, cities were often guarded from enemies by high thick walls with tall gates. The gates were the only entrances into the city, so gatekeepers were appointed to control who came and left the city. The gates also served as market place, court of law, administrative office and public forum. Thus, gatekeepers controlled access to the city’s social, political and economic lifestyles.
Our key verse reveals the names of young people who were called to serve the Lord as gatekeepers. These gatekeepers Influenced Israel’s social, political and economic wellbeing. God appointed them to give warnings, stop evil, promote good and be a blessing to their generation. Think of people like Moses, Joseph, David, Obadiah, Ezekiel, Josiah, Joash, Esther, Nehemiah and Daniel. These young people rose to the height of gatekeepers and worked hard to influence the society during their time.
Today, you are called to be a gatekeeper and positively influence your community, society and the world at large. You are to be shining examples of God-fearing children who are committed to living a holy life.
Further Reading: Genesis 4:1-4
Prayer for today: Lord, make me a gatekeeper that will influence my world for Christ.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
