August 10, 2023
Topic: MAKE ROOM FOR GOD: GATES VI
Text: : PSALM 24: 7-10
Memory Verse: Rev 21: 12. “And had a wall great and high and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and the names written thereon which are names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel”.
After the great flood and the cleansing of the world for the first time, God said in Gen 6:3a “…And the Lord said my spirit shall not always strive with man” The new testament corroborated this when Jesus in Matt 12:19 in describing Himself quoted Prophet Isaiah ..” He shall not strive, nor cry neither shall any man hear His voice in the street.” Paul in writing to Philemon in 1:14 gave insight “ But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly”.
Our making room for God has to be from our hearts and willingly! He will not force and he will not compel. This idea is presented as a plea from Jesus unto His people in Rev 3:20 “Behold I stand at the door (or gates of your heart) and knock! If any man would hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” It is a gentle request.
For the church is Christ’s temple and every faithful soul is a gate thereof to let Him in.
In describing the Holy City of Jerusalem in the passage we read today, a high wall and twelve gates are mentioned. Surely if there are doors and gates in heaven that need to be lifted up with criteria to entering thereof listed in verse 27 of the same chapter even before Christ could enter there in after His sojourn on earth, much more are there gates that must be opened to receive Him, Christ into our hearts. We must have the King of Kings within, to have him without, even though he is on the throne, yet will not strive with man!
Make room for God that he may live within you and live through you to your world that you may fulfil the mandate as the salt of the world and the light to your generation.
Prayers: Lord I know there is much more you would want me to do for you in this fallen world. I am aware that you are a gentleman and will not meddle except I invite you! I give you freedom to enter into all that concerns me and that which I am. Teach me to enquire of you each moment and to ask you what you want me to do in each situation and at all times. Thank you for taking over my person on this my invitation. In Jesus matchless name I pray. Amen.
Lord take my lips and speak through them; take my mind and think through it; take my heart and set it on fire. -W.H.H. Aitken