1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34 / Romans 4:13-5:5/ Psalm 14 / Proverbs 19:17
Everyone wants to protect both their family and their property. Whether you choose security systems, a guard dog, to be trained in the proper use of firearms, etc. everyone has some type of security in mind. It’s sad to think that there are people out there who would want to invade, harm, or steal from others, but sadly this is the world we live in.
As I’ve read through the Old Testament, I’ve seen many verses that speak about gatekeepers at the temple. At first, I thought it odd that a temple would need gatekeepers. I mean, who is going to do harm in the house of God. But then I considered that the descendants of Israel were surrounded by enemy nations, wild animals, and the same types of evil we are still surrounded by today.
1 Chronicles 26:12-13 These divisions of the gatekeepers were named for their family leaders, and like the other Levites, they served at the house of the LORD. They were assigned by families for guard duty at the various gates, without regard to age or training, for it was all decided by means of sacred lots.
There are lots of details regarding which families oversaw each gate – north, south, east, west, the storehouse, the gateway to the temple, the gateway to the courtyard, etc. I think when we’re reading scripture, we tend to forget their times were just like ours regarding safety and protection of property and persons. Even today, many churches have armed security teams. Most visitors would not know that but there is a well-oiled security plan in place due to all the shootings and violence we face in today’s society.
This causes me to think about another need we have in the body of Christ and that is for spiritual guards, or watchmen and women. We’re sometimes aware of physical threats, but what about spiritual threats? What about the threats we can’t see? As I’ve written about before, the LORD has been teaching me about guarding and praying over my territory.
Since we have a church in our home, we have many people coming in and out and those people bring in with them whatever spirits are attached to their lives. Those spirits when here, could affect our family, the people who are here, and our atmosphere in our territory.
I regularly pray for removal of “enemy entities”, for muzzling of entities as those come and go, and for opportunities for freedom from these influences as people are ready. The church doesn’t speak much about demonic deliverance but the enemy is still seeking who he may devour – seeking also to steal, kill and destroy in our lives.
We must not forget his schemes. We must be on the alert. We must discern the spirits that are affecting those we fellowship with and pray for opportunities for them to be free of those and filled with God’s Spirit instead.
Demonic deliverance doesn’t need to be scary or loud or “showy”. We have authority in Christ to speak to these powerless entities, telling them to leave and be judged at the foot of the cross, or go into dark places. Once our family and friends are free from an evil spirit, we must always pray that place be filled with Holy Spirit and His healing and restoring work.
Do not be fearful of praying over someone to deliver them from evil! Be bold, courageous gatekeepers and watchmen and women in your territory! The Spirit of the living God is within you!
