AWAKE BIBLE IN A YEAR APRIL 24
Read 1 Chronicles 7-9
When I was care-giving for my 86 year old grandfather, he had a large number of keys. They were labeled and marked for each purpose, door, or lock. And to assist him in his life I needed a copy of the keys. So it is with those who serve God.
IN LIFE WE NEED KEYS!
Today we read about the appointment of the original keys of David. “Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer. They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the Lord—the house called the tent of meeting. The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north and south. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning.”
1 Chronicles 9:22-24, 27 NIV
Consider the language from Isaiah. ‘I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.’ Isaiah 22:22 In the text we see the servant Eliakim is the initial one the ‘key to the house of David’ is given. In 2 Kings 18:18 and Isaiah 36:3 Eliakim is referred to as an assistant to King Hezekiah. The word specifically says he is the servant over the household. Servants have keys, unfaithful servants loose keys.
Jesus, the one who is both holy and true, reuses this same phrase in Revelation, ‘To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.’ (3:7) Jesus faithfully serves the house of GOD. Jesus is the ultimate trust worthy servant.
All power and authority have been given to JESUS (Matthew 28:18). And Jesus delegates authority. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19
PRAYER: LORD GOD help us understand what it is to have your keys. Empower us with character and faithfulness. DEMONSTRATE to us what it is to be someone who opens doors and opens the gates in the house of God. We don’t want to miss an opportunity. Is there a conversation, plan, or direction we need to have? Is there anything out of order?
Keys are not just personal access. We know this is not about promotion for significance. This is about faithfulness in our generation. These keys are for operation, LORD WE KNOW a servant needs the keys to open and to function, to hold the meetings of faith in a reliable and holy manner. We pray for wisdom to those you have entrusted in our generation with your authority. David and Samuel chose men based on TRUST. Jesus you do the same. Help us be someone on whom you can rely.
LORD WE PRAY to build kingdom relationships on trust. Revive trust in our communities, churches, families, and marriages. AMEN.
