8/2/2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 2. 5-6)

“[Solomon advises] ‘My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.’” (Proverbs 4.20-27)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

As we would continue reading through the “proverbial” instruction of Solomon, we would hear “The eyes are the window [or gateway] to the soul.” (Proverbs 30.17) Taking both of these instructional observations together, we may easily consider the value of being the “gatekeepers” of our own lives. Who can unsee W.H. Hunt’s painting of “Jesus At the Door.” Based on the scripture “Behold, I stand at the door and knock,” (Revelation 3.20) we are invited to know the value of choice and choosing wisely. Jesus does not intrude into our lives. He presents Himself as an opportunity which we would do well to avail ourselves. But, in that painting, as in life, we are the “door/gate” and the “gatekeeper/door attender.” Taking our lead from Solomon’s teaching, how many gateways exist in our personal life? Eyes, ears, mouth, nose, heart, mind, soul? For me these capture the seven senses which we all possess: sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch, intuition and spiritual. These are the seven gates of our lives which we must, in the words of Solomon, “guard.”

Just as in the teaching concerning Jesus alluding to “I am the door of the sheep,” we made aware that this “door” swings both ways. It is in our coming in and in our going out that we must be “on guard and en garde.” The sheep come in at dusk and depart at dawn. They may also be brought in for shelter from a storm or stalking predator and let out with the “all clear.” We sell ourselves short if we only see half of the picture and hear the urging to “guard our heart,” or eyes or mouth etc., as a one way in scenario. We filter and censor messages coming in toward us from the world. Their intention is to gain entrance and establish permanent residence in our lives. The story of the man who cleaned his house of an evil spirit, to which I have alluded before, is a good example of this. Having a clean house is important. Having a clean house with an open door policy only invites trouble, very messy trouble.

Stop and think about those seven gates in your life and what you allow in through them. Did they even knock or ask permission to pass through? Did they “piggy back” their way in with a welcome visitor or friend and you were unaware? Was it by some “bait and switch” offering that their foot got into the door? I hope you see what I am trying to bring to our attention. The world is filled with mixed and dangerous messages intended to be invitations to gain entry. They want to come in through the door or the gate because by any other means they know they will be seen as intruders, thieves, robbers, murderers and deceivers. We heard that warning in Jesus’ telling of the parable of the Good Shepherd. Regardless of the context, the truth remains the truth.

But be on the alert, mighty ones of God, and guard those gates for what proceeds through them going out as well. What is the condition of one’s heart, mind and soul out of which our words and action are offered to the world. This is the wisdom of Solomon as he spoke to his son, sons and daughters. Indeed, he was speaking to the entire nation of Israel which existed under his care as king. If we think for a moment that what we think, say and do has no impact on others, we are only fooling ourselves. We know they do and we full well intend to influence others into thinking more of our way than any other way. If we are not right internally, then we will not be right eternally. If we are not right internally, then we will not be right externally. The day will come when the truth will be exposed. The light of “that day” will reveal what was kept in darkness and shrouded carefully as a facade as we walked through the world. Remember what happens when Dracula looks in a mirror? He cannot see himself. That is because he is dead from the inside out. He has no soul, no heart and no spirit. He covers himself in darkness. He protects himself from “the light of day.” The truth will destroy him if he is exposed to it. So he operates by deception and offers an invitation to come inside and see. It isn’t much different that what the Serpent did to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Well, it is different because the Serpent, Satan the Cast Out Lucifer, still had a soul. He was not dead. He was very much alive and continually on the prowl. So, we must guard what is in us not merely to protect it from the outside world. We must guard it, make it safe, to be on the alert of the impact we will have on the outside world. Our reflection is intended to be of Christ. He Himself is that true gateway through which all must pass in order to gain entry into the very presence of God and His abiding place “on earth as it is in Heaven.”

So, take careful observation to the gateways of your life. Examine the filters that you have in place to protect the heart, mind and soul. What is the aperature of that gateway, like that of a camera lens? How much will you let in and still think you are protected. These are critical questions and observations which define and refine our life, our testimony and our ministry to the flock under our care. It is easier when our paths are straight to observe and protect what is ahead and what is to the left and to the right, above and below. Such value in “keeping to the straight and narrow.”

TODAY’S PRAYER IN LIGHT OF GOD’S WORD:

Father, You have revealed Yourself to us best in Jesus the Christ. By Him and Him alone shall we gain the eternal life and our place in eternal rest, living for You always. Show us more and by Your Holy Spirit instruct us in the way we should go, the truth we should reveal and the life we shall live with you forever. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.