A Doorkeeper in God’s House

3 MARCH

For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. Psalm 84:10

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: 3 John

Unlike many people who want to live without knowing why, wishing simply that their life may be prolonged, David says that his purpose for living is to serve God. He sets higher value on one day that is spent in God’s service than a long time that is spent among worldly people from whom true religion is banished. Because it is lawful for only priests to enter into the innermost courts of the temple, David declares that, if he were simply permitted to have a place at the porch, he would be content with the humble station of acting as a doorkeeper.

The value that David sets upon being in the sanctuary of God is striking in his comparison that he would be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. David would rather be cast into a common and unhonored place, providing that is among the people of God, than to be exalted to the highest rank of honor among unbelievers. That is a rare example of godliness indeed! Many people want to occupy a place in the church, but ambition has such sway over their minds tat few are content to be numbered among the common and the undistinguished class.

Almost all of us are carried away with the frantic desire of rising to distinction and cannot think of being at ease until we have attained some state of eminence.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: When personal ambition takes over in our lives, we often succeed in turning the house of God into a “tent of wickedness.” If it is better for us to dwell in God’s house, even as a nobody, than to achieve recognition among the ungodly of this world, how then should we live? What changes should we make in our lives?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke