SCRIPTURE READING: 2 KINGS 11: 1-17
FOCUS: “And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.” (2 Kings 11: 6)
MEMORY VERSE: “Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.” (Nehemiah 4: 9)
It is instructive to observe that in our Focal Scripture, Jehoiada gave instructions for men of war to take their positions at the various gates, preparatory to the enthronement of Joash. Jehoiada was a priest; his assignment was in the temple, but he instructed men to take charge at the gates. Jehoiada put his feet in the temple, but he got men of war to put their own feet at the gates. There were feet in the temple and at the gates.
Friend, you may not be prepared for a life of victory until you are intentional to have feet in the temple and feet at the gates. It’s not enough to get it right in ‘temple’ matters; it is important that you also get it right at the gates. You need men who can speak at the gates. You need men who can fight at the gates. You need men who can keep watch at the gates. You need men who can do the needful at the gates. You need ‘gate’ men.
Notice that Jehoiada had done a great job by hiding Joash in the temple; but for the next level of manifestation in the life of Joash, gate keepers were needed in addition to the priest in the temple. You may not be ready for your new season until you prioritize having important feet at the gates. You need to take your place at industry gates; you need to man your ministerial gates; you need to stand in financial gates; you need to be a person of capacity at the gates of this life.
Athaliah eventually showed up; the enthronement of Joash meant treason to her; but the men at the gates saved the day. There are battles you will win on your knees in prayer; but there are battles that require you to have men at the gates. You need men who can take on Athaliah’s; you need men who can speak to kings; you need men who can make difficult things easy; you need men with capacity to deal at the gates.
Don’t be counted amongst them that are in the temple but lack men at the gates. Arise as a gate keeper. Arise and position men at the gates.
FURTHER READING: NEHEMIAH 4
DECLARATION:
- I take my place at the gates; I will never lack men at the gates, in Jesus’ name!