Open to Me the Gates!

“Open to me the gates of righteousness,
    that I may enter through them
    and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
    the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me
    and have become my salvation.” Psalm 118:19-21

“Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty,
    the Lord, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And lift them up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord of hosts,
    he is the King of glory!” Psalm 24:7-10

“Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!” Psalm 100:3-4

The gates of the Lord work both ways. The gates of righteousness stand open, inviting, that we might enter to know Jesus as Victor and Savior, that we might see and receive His glory. In grace He widens them to reveal the King in His regal splendor, to beckon us through to approach with worship and praise. And we in faith open the doors of our hearts that this King might enter in and take His throne, ruling every aspect of our lives as we bow in humble servitude to His loving Lordship. The wider they swing, the broader our faith and deeper our maturity in Christ.

If we have entered God’s gates of salvation in bold trust, we have an obligation to open them to others. By example and word, by love and demeanor, we invite kings and commoners- all the needy- to the threshold and present truth so they are drawn irresistibly to enter. How often do we enter on our own and sing praises? When do we draw nigh to pray for opportunity and individuals? Whom have we brought near and shown the glory of the Almighty through His word and ways? (Jeremiah 7:2; 17:19-20)

“Open now thy gates of beauty,
Zion, let me enter there,
Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for Him who answers prayer.
Oh, how blessed is this place,
Filled with solace, light and grace!

Gracious God, I come before Thee,
Come Thou also down to me;
Where we find Thee and adore Thee,
There a heav’n on earth must be.
To my heart, oh, enter Thou,
Let it be Thy temple now!

Here Thy praise is gladly chanted,
Here Thy seed is duly sown;
Let my soul, where it is planted,
Bring forth precious sheaves alone,
So that all I hear may be
Fruitful unto life in me.

Thou my faith increase and quicken,
Let me keep Thy gift divine,
Howsoe’er temptations thicken;
May Thy Word still o’er me shine
As my guiding star through life,
As my comfort in my strife.

Speak, O God, and I will hear Thee,
Let Thy will be done indeed;
May I undisturbed draw near Thee
While Thou dost Thy people feed.
Here of life the fountain flows,
Here is balm for all our woes.” ~Benjamin Schlock (1730)

Lord, may I swing wide Your gates to others and magnify Your glory.