Ps 84:10 “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” What does it mean to be a doorkeeper?
“Better is one day in your courts.…” remember that song by Matt Redman? As I meditated about being a doorkeeper these thoughts came:
The doorkeeper is inside, i.e. the door is opened by someone already on the inside.
The doorkeeper is secure, already a part of the inner workings.
The doorkeeper is attentive to what he sees around the door.
The doorkeeper listens for someone coming and prepares to open the door.
The doorkeeper is flexible, yet sturdy and dependable
The doorkeeper is focused on what’s happening in the moment.
The doorkeeper is trustworthy.
The doorkeeper opens the door to a place of refuge (Ps 84:3)
The doorkeeper keeps some out. (Gen 3:24)
The doorkeeper guards what is holy and obeys the master.
Jesus understood the importance of the doorkeeper. Rev 3:20
Only Jesus himself offers the invitation to salvation, but we can be doorkeepers to kingdom life for other people.
As doorkeepers, we can open a relationship, extend a helping hand, and demonstrate principles of the kingdom living such as loaning without interest, giving without expectation, finding the good in all people, turning the other cheek, avoiding gossip, worshipping God and praying. The door can hinge on these movable parts.
Would you rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness? Think up some other ways to express the life of a doorkeeper to the kingdom of heaven.