Just A Doorkeeper?

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10

Should we really strive to be kings in God's Kingdom? David was a man after God's own heart and he only wanted to be a humble doorkeeper. Many have misunderstood the meaning of this scripture.

First, notice that the Psalm is not written by David, it is a "Psalm of the sons of Korah." Now read the verse again: "for a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." This verse in the modern-English Moffatt translation reads' "Better a single day within thy courts than a thousand outside! I would rather sit at the threshold of God's house than live in the tents of worldly men."

The author of the Psalm saw the contrast. He didn't say he wanted to be a doorkeeper. But he did say he could see that it was far better to be the lowest servant in God's house. Somebody of the sons of Korah had to be doorkeepers in God's House, the Temple, (see I Chronicles 26: 1 and 19) rather than to be great outside and participate in the evil of this world.

The son of Korah realized how valuable life in God's service is compared to the helplessness of what the Bible calls "this present evil world" (Gal. 1:4).

David, too, like the sons of Korah, was humble before God. but he was not deceived into thinking that God will grant eternal life to anyone who only want to put forth the minimum effort to obtain this matchless goal. Did David only exercise minimum effort in his quest to obtain sonship in the Kingdom of God? Did David approach things in a half-hearted way?

Notice a few scriptures: "Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God ... " (I Chron.29:2). "And David danced before the Lord with all his might..." (11 Samuel 6;14). "My soul followeth hard after thee... " (Ps. 63:8). David strove hard, exerted maximum effort to achieve God's kingdom. Because of his whole hearted attitude and approach, God promised him a position of high authority in the kingdom. "And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it." (Eze. 34:24).

Read the parable of the pounds in Luke 19; what happened to the servant who put forth little or no effort to multiply his pound?

God promises believers today rulership in His Kingdom (Rev.2:26; 3:21) . We must put forth our best effort. Notice II John 8: "Look to yourselves that we lose not those things which we have wrought (worked for), but that we receive a full reward."