Psalm 84:10 (NIV)
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
God values doorkeepers!
A Dominican man lived in New York City for a number of years and become involved in drug dealing. He was caught and sent to prison, where he found a Gideon Bible, and through it, found Christ. His life was totally changed and he returned home to the Dominican Republic wanting to help others come to the same joyful experience of knowing Jesus as Lord.
He and his wife started a school in a very poor barrio using their own resources. Eventually they had sold just about everything they had to maintain the school-car, TV, cell phone. There was nothing left to sell. Then Allan Myshrall and a team from Ambassadors for Christ International in Canada met them and caught their vision for raising up a generation with different values. The Canadians have been helping with this project for the last 5 years and have seen major changes in the children as they come to Christ.
The school also offers basic literacy classes for adults. One of the class members was a witch who heard the Gospel and changed her allegiance from the world of darkness to the kingdom of light. She is now the doorkeeper in the church, a faithful member.
What does the Psalmist mean by "I would rather be a doorkeeper", in terms of everyday life? The writer is speaking of a set of values that is totally the opposite of the world's values. The world values success, riches, status. A doorkeeper has none of those. But this doorkeeper has the joy of serving, pouring out life to help others in God's name.
Would you ask the Lord if there are any areas of your life where you are still holding onto the values of the world instead of embracing His call to humble service?
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