Gates of Righteousness

DAILY READING

Psalm 118:19-20

Yesterday we focused on the 24^th verse of Psalm 118, and gave thanks for the day the Lord has made. Today we’ll focus on these verses, as the psalmist says:

¹⁹ Open to me the gates of righteousness,
    that I may enter through them
    and give thanks to the Lord.

²⁰ This is the gate of the Lord;
    the righteous shall enter through it.

I’m reminded of what Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” And again in John 10, Jesus says “I am the gate for the sheep.”

Gates are powerful images. They symbolize moving from one space into another. Whether it be transitioning into a new job, a new city, a new season of life, or as indicated in the psalm, moving from unrighteousness into righteousness, we human beings are always moving through different spiritual, emotional, and even physical spaces. The Holy Spirit uses the image of a gate to reveal how God in Christ is always beckoning us forward into newness of life, or as Wesley said, “moving on to perfection.” 

What symbolic gates are you journeying through this Easter season? May you be mindful of the ways in which Christ journeys with you.

WRITE FOR THE FIELD GUIDE

Are you inspired by the Daily Field Guide devotions each week? You can inspire others in the congregation with your reflections on God’s word by becoming a Field Guide author! Contact Jason Alteri at jalteri@bumc.net to learn more.