Our son is employed as “career military” with the United States Air Force. Over the last couple of decades, he has been assigned to local National Guard bases as a fulltime federal government employee. What is National Guard, you might wonder? Here is a quick overview: The National Guard is a unique U.S. military reserve force, split into the Army and Air National Guard, serving both their states (disaster relief, civil order) and the nation (overseas combat, homeland defense). My son has been deployed overseas many times with his unit. Yes, we are very proud and grateful for his service to our country!
Most members of the National Guard are citizen-soldiers, holding civilian jobs while training part-time (one weekend a month/two weeks a year) and responding to domestic emergencies or federal missions when activated by their governor or the President. They are paid by the state in which they serve. Our son is paid by the federal government as a full-time military soldier who manages and trains others for the Air Force. The Guard is the oldest U.S. military component, dating back to 1636, and functions as a vital reserve for the Army and Air Force.
King David was raised from shepherd boy to a called, anointed, and devoted warrior of God. He inquired of God before battles then fought with God’s direction and power to rid the nation of Israel from their enemies. Because of his work, God’s People can now live in peace. The next step in King David’s preparations involves the development of a plan to protect the daily operations around and in the new Temple to be built so the life of the ministers will run smoothly. Each Gatekeeper will stand ready to guard and protect all who try to enter as they work for the common good of God’s people. The Gatekeepers have very specific roles as the Guard to protect the nation of Israel!
1 Chronicles 26
The Gatekeepers
The divisions of the gatekeepers:
From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.
2 Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, 3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth and Eliehoenai the seventh.
4 Obed-Edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sakar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth. (For God had blessed Obed-Edom.)
6 Obed-Edom’s son Shemaiah also had sons, who were leaders in their father’s family because they were very capable men. 7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad; his relatives Elihu and Semakiah were also able men. 8 All these were descendants of Obed-Edom; they and their sons and their relatives were capable men with the strength to do the work—descendants of Obed-Edom, 62 in all.
9 Meshelemiah had sons and relatives, who were able men—18 in all.
10 Hosah the Merarite had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him the first), 11 Hilkiah the second, Tabaliah the third and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and relatives of Hosah were 13 in all.
12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their leaders, had duties for ministering in the temple of the Lord, just as their relatives had. 13 Lots were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.
14 The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. 15 The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom, and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons. 16 The lots for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah.
Guard was alongside of guard: 17 There were six Levites a day on the east, four a day on the north, four a day on the south and two at a time at the storehouse. 18 As for the court to the west, there were four at the road and two at the court itself.
19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.
The Treasurers and Other Officials
20 Their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries for the dedicated things.
21 The descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and who were heads of families belonging to Ladan the Gershonite, were Jehieli, 22 the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasuries of the temple of the Lord.
23 From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites:
24 Shubael, a descendant of Gershom son of Moses, was the official in charge of the treasuries. 25 His relatives through Eliezer: Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zikri his son and Shelomith his son. 26 Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and by the other army commanders. 27 Some of the plunder taken in battle they dedicated for the repair of the temple of the Lord. 28 And everything dedicated by Samuel the seer and by Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner and Joab son of Zeruiah, and all the other dedicated things were in the care of Shelomith and his relatives.
29 From the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were assigned duties away from the temple, as officials and judges over Israel.
30 From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives—seventeen hundred able men—were responsible in Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of the Lord and for the king’s service. 31 As for the Hebronites, Jeriah was their chief according to the genealogical records of their families. In the fortieth year of David’s reign a search was made in the records, and capable men among the Hebronites were found at Jazer in Gilead. 32 Jeriah had twenty-seven hundred relatives, who were able men and heads of families, and King David put them in charge of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
A thought occurs to me just now; Who are the “gatekeepers” in our lives who help us guard the entrance to our hearts and protect us from the invasion of the Enemy of evil? We have heard it said by the world, “Follow your heart”; but Jesus says, our hearts can and will deceive us if left unguarded! We must guard our hearts from evil. If fact, throughout God’s Word, which includes David’s psalms, God remind us to “guard our hearts” at all costs! How are we doing? Are we going to places that grow our relationship with God or distract us from God?
Jesus teaches that our hearts are the source of all intentions and actions, both good and evil. He emphasizes that what truly defiles a person comes from within the heart, including evil thoughts, murder, and greed, not from external actions like eating with unwashed hands. Therefore, he calls for a transformation of the heart, the greatest commandment being to love God with all one’s heart, soul, and mind, which involves complete devotion to God.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23
“As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” Proverbs 27:19
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”—Jesus, Matthew 15:19
Our relationship with God is the most important relationship we will ever have here and for eternity—and it begins with a surrendered heart to Him! Jesus provided this relationship for us by sacrificing his life for ours, paying off our debt of sin had accrued with interest! In this redemptive act; we have full access to the throne of God! As our heart yields daily to God’s will; our interest for sin grows cold and our love for God grows hot! Why? Because we are transforming to all God’s wants us to be. In fact, we can come confidently and boldly to God for help!
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16, NKJV
Jesus repeatedly warns all his followers to “guard your hearts” as evil will try to enter to destroy our relationship with the Father. The Apostle Paul, sold out to Jesus, says our relationship must mature and grow more intimate each day. How are we doing?
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” Matthew 22:37
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
How are we doing? We all need help and God knew we would! God’s provides His Holy Spirt to come and live within us. His Spirit leads us to all Truth with God-led ways to live a life of Truth. Lean into God’s Spirit with listening ears and open minds ready to receive the real, honest, trustworthy help we need—every hour of every day. These are some of the gatekeeping ways to guard our hearts from the impending evil who seeks to enter our hearts to deceive us with the goal corrupt our faith and eventually lead us to dead living.
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13
Who are the gatekeepers we allow to stand ready at the doors of our hearts to guard and protect us?
- God, the Father. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”—Jesus, Matthew 6:33
- Repent to Jesus, Savior and Lord, who died and rose again in power. This means to surrender all we are to all of Him; turning our focus from sin and death to redemption and life eternal through Him.
- Listen to God’s Holy Spirit who lives within us, ready to guide us to Truth with power to guard our hearts with directions that lead us how to daily walk with God.
- Study God’s Word. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.” Psalm 119:105-106 “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11
- Meet regularly with other believers. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25 The Day refers to when Jesus comes back to claim His own. He is coming back, you know!
- Secure a wise and experienced “gatekeeping” mentor with committed faith in God to help guard our hearts. “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousnessand soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 2:3-8
- Be a mentor. One who teaches solidifies what they have learned. “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timoty 2:2
The sons of Korah memorialized the role of gatekeeper in one of the psalms: “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10).
Gatekeepers also had the right to keep out people who were not qualified to enter the temple precincts (non Jews) and enemies of evil. Think of the gatekeepers as the welcome team in your church. These were (and are) people appointed, not to keep people out (as the original gatekeepers did), but to welcome people into the courts of worship! But some are assigned these days to also be quietly observant and keenly aware of eminent dangers to attenders.
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4
In Jesus Name, Amen!
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 