A DOORKEEPER IN GOD's HOUSE

Psalm 84:10 For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

This Psalm is thought by many bible scholars to have been written by a member of the tribe of Levi - the priestly tribe having the duty of conducting the religious rites and services for the children of Israel. The theme of the Psalm concerns the blessedness of worshiping God. The Psalm is introduced by saying, How amiable are thy tabernacles (Vs 1). How congenial, how cordial, how pleasant is God's place of worship for the Jewish nation. Verse 2 tells us of the writer's great desire to come to worship. Verses 4 through 9 tell how those who worship God will be blessed. They will not only be blessed with physical needs to sustain their lives but they will also be protected from harm by the shield of God.

The lesson text says that one day spent worshiping God is worth more than a thousand days spent doing other things. In other words, the worth of one day of worship is immeasurable when compared to the days spent going about one's secular life. Our usual day is spent working at our jobs and professions. What we gain from these work-related activities is used to sustain our physical bodies. What we gain from worshiping God will sustain our spiritual bodies eternally. Surely, we must work to earn a living for ourselves and for our families. However, this verse tells us where our priorities should lie. The rewards of our daily work activities will benefit us during our lifetime on earth - seventy to eighty years, more or less. The rewards of worshiping God and doing His will benefit us for eternity.

The last part of the lesson text is a comparison between the house of God and the house of wickedness. All people here on earth have the free will to choose between the two. We have the choice of serving God or serving Satan; living a godly life or a life of evil; leading arighteous life or a sinful life. Whom do you choose to serve? The writer of this Psalm says, I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. In other words, it is more blessed to serve God in the most menial task in His worship service thanto have the most prominent position in the dwelling place of Satan.

Psalm 101, verses 6 and 7 tell us of this same choice that we all must make. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with Me: he that walketh in the perfect way, he shall serve Me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within My house: he that telleth lies shall not terry in My sight. God says that to dwell with Him we must serve Him, that is, to walk in His ways. However, if we do the work of Satan, we cannot dwell in God's house.

Whom do you choose to serve? The bible is filled with God's instructions on how He expects us to conduct out lives here on earth.Romans, chapter12, contains a number of these instructions. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good (Vs. 9). The verses following tell us some of these good instructions - the things we should incorporate in out everyday lives. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love: in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality (Vss. 10-13). In order to serve God, we must carry out these Christian responsibilities in our lives, as well as all others found in His Holy Word. Within its pages we findGod's guides for our conduct of life.

Psalm 52 gives us a good description of one that dwells in wickedness. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more that good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness (Vs. 2-3). Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness (Vs. 7).

Joshua, the great leader of the Israelites, recognized this choice of service - the same choice that you and I have today. Joshua told Israel, choose you this day whom ye will serve. He then stated his choice: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (See Joshua 24:15). Choose to serve God - even as the lowly task of doorkeeper!