Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)

“Of these were the divisions of the doorkeepers, even of the chief men, having offices like their brothers, to minister in Yahweh’s house. They cast lots, the small as well as the great, according to their fathers’ houses, for every gate. The lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counselor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward. To Obed-Edom southward; and to his sons the storehouse. To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goes up, watchman opposite watchman. Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and for the storehouse two and two. For Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar. These were the divisions of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.”
(1 Chronicles 26:12-19)

“Sing to Yahweh a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things!
    His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
Yahweh has made known his salvation.
    He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.
    All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth!
    Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp,
    with the harp and the voice of melody.
With trumpets and sound of the ram’s horn,
    make a joyful noise before the King, Yahweh.
Let the sea roar with its fullness;
    the world, and those who dwell therein.
Let the rivers clap their hands.
    Let the mountains sing for joy together.
Let them sing before Yahweh,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
    and the peoples with equity.”
(Psalm 98)

“He said to them, “Foolish people, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. They came near to the village where they were going, and he acted like he would go further. They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.” He went in to stay with them. When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him; then he vanished out of their sight. They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?””
(Luke 24:25-32)

The doorkeepers of the Temple weren’t guards. They weren’t there to keep people out. They were there to lead worship. To sing and play instruments. To guide the people into an attitude of gratitude so that by the time the people had made their way through the gates and into the courts, they were praising the Lord. They were ready to meet with Him. They were singing themselves. The doorkeepers were the beacons that guided the people into the presence of God.

The whole world ‘sings’ to the Lord God Almighty. If we have ears to hear it, we WILL hear it. The Lord put these signposts there for us to recognize His glory. For us to see Him all around us in the works of His creation. It is full of songs of joy and thanksgiving. Full of praise and worship. Full of the assurances of His salvation and the mended relationship that it brings. Even the Lord sings over us, He is that full of JOY. He is a righteous judge, this is true. But He is a saver and protector of those who love Him. Those who have His song in their hearts.

We can easily let the circumstances of life play tricks with our senses. We begin to fail to ‘see’ the Lord – even though He is RIGHT THERE BESIDE US. But we are not left in our ignorance. We are not left with our eyes covered. The Lord uses the Word to point out to us again and again what He has for us. What He put into place for us. What He has called us to. Jesus is the doorkeeper of the Kingdom. He is singing for us and teaching us and standing as a beacon to lead us home. Home to the Father. Home in Him. Home with God. Worshipping our creator. Loving our Lord. And obeying our King.

Summary

God isn’t hidden to keep us from finding Him. God is hidden so that we’ll follow the song and see where it is coming from. God is hidden so we will look beyond where we are and what is happening to us. God is hidden to give us something to focus on. To really get our attention engaged. God is hidden so that we will find Him and stay with Him. God is hidden so that when we join with Him, entering His courts with praise, we will be hidden as well. Hidden in Him and developing our relationship together. Opening the scriptures, accepting His Love, and modelling our lives after Him.