Doors and Gateways

Old West Gate, Exeter by Paul Collings

 Psalm 9:14

That I may tell of all Your praises,

That in the gates of the daughter of Zion

I may rejoice in Your salvation.

Have you ever entered an impressive building and been blown away by the glorious majesty of the structure. For me is could be the awesome starkness of Liverpool Cathedral or the huge underground natural concert hall Cueva de los Verdes left by the Lanzarote volcanic eruption that now can accommodate over 500 concert goers. 

In particular, there is something about walking down the narrow passages and then suddenly finding yourself in the awesome auditorium. From the outside it looks just like a volcanic hole in the ground, but to get the full benefit of the spender we must take steps to enter.

So it is with the Psalmist with that all important word “in” the gates as the place where I can experience, and rejoice in God’s Salvation.

Gracious and loving God,

you enabled the Psalmist to turn to you,

confident that all his cries and prayers

would be heard by you and answered by you. 

Prayers uttered in the belief that you would not permit evil and despair

to have the last word. 

We offer our prayers in that same belief,

and with even greater confidence,

for in Jesus you have made known your great love for all people. 

He bears our burdens in times of trouble and through his sacrificial love,

our lives are blessed, strengthened, and empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

For these great gifts,

we offer our thanksgiving, our praise, our adoration,

and this prayer,

in Jesus’ name.  Amen.