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O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever! Let Israel say, ‘His steadfast love endures for ever.’ 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. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has given us light.Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,for his steadfast love endures for ever. (Psalm 118:12, 19-29)
Good day, dear Reader! I'm praying this is a wonderful day for you and yours! May this devotional and time you spend in prayer today, bring rich and wonderful blessings to you and your loved ones and circle of friends.
During out study program in Israel, our professor took us to many city gates. In fact, our time in Jerusalem was in the Old City, which still has remnants of the city wall and our hotels were located near the Jaffa Gate. We visited an ancient city where Jacob lived and the government has taken great pain in preserving the entire structure to protect the city from the elements. For some reason, the sun shines brighter in Israel than here and we had to wear hats or caps and sunglasses to protect ourselves from it. But the city gates are not as large as one would think; they were small to allow about four people across to enter and leave the city. The gates were the weakest point of defense against enemies; but for those invited and returning home, the city gate was a sight for sore eyes and the gates would open wide in celebration. This psalm is one considered prophetic about Jesus' entering the city gates of Jerusalem for His ministry and purpose during His last week on the earth.
The psalmist, like he almost does, begins with a word of thanks and praise to the Lord God. Then the word about the city gates opening as gates of righteousness, so that this one from God could enter in and give thanks to the Lord. The gates become gates of righteousness for the righteous to enter in. He who was bringing salvation could come in and share that gift with the righteous. The image of Christ as the rejected one who becomes the Chief Cornerstone is mentioned here. And the part of the psalm most of us know by memory, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it," but it is followed with a plea, "Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!" We know what happens next. Jesus finds the Temple not as a place of worship, but as a market place, and a corrupt one at that; an entire economy of greed operating in a sacred area. Salvation was needed and Jesus came to bring it.
Jesus' entry into our lives, hearts, minds, and spirits is still a reason for celebration and great joy. It is God working for our good and for our salvation; more reason to invite Him in and celebrate with Him. All we have to do is think about the areas of our lives that are not where they should be, the sins, the doubts,, the fears, worries - any and all things impeding our forward movement - Jesus can remove them and restore us to the right relationship with God which is salvation. And all we have to do is to ask and believe.
PRAYER: Loving God, open wide the gates of my heart and life, and enter in. Become the salvation that I need. Overturn the tables of greed and self-centeredness and drive away with whips the fear and doubt in my life; restore me to righteousness and let me be a light to others. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Invite the Lord in and drive the devil out!
Eradio Valverde
