Psalms 118:19-21 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. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
These verses are far more than ancient lyrics — they are a spiritual invitation. The psalmist doesn’t just admire the gate — he pleads for it to open. “Open to me the gates of righteousness…” This is the cry of a heart that longs for access to God, not by merit, but by mercy. In Hebrew thought, gates represent transition points — thresholds between the common and the holy, the outside and the inner court, the temporal and the eternal. These are not man-made doors — they are divine entrances into the presence and promises of the LORD.
Verse 20 declares, “This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.” But who can enter? Psalm 24 asks, “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” The truth is, none of us are righteous by our own strength. But here lies the mystery revealed in the Gospel: Yeshua (Jesus) is the Gate. He declared in John 10:9, “I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved.” He is both the way in and the One waiting on the other side.
Prophetically, this passage also points to the moment Yeshua entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey (Matthew 21), greeted by shouts of “Hosanna!” The gates of the city — and of salvation — were opening, and many missed it. But the righteous, those who discerned the moment, welcomed the King. This moment foreshadowed the greater entry Yeshua would make through the gates of heaven after His resurrection, carrying the victory of the cross and the promise of our access to the Father.
Verse 21 brings the worshiper full circle: “I thank You that You have answered me and have become my salvation.” In Hebrew, “You have become my Yeshua.” The cry at the gate has been heard. The way has been made. And the only fitting response is worship. Not just thanks for what God has done — but for who He has become.
The gate is open. Yeshua didn’t just open it — He is it. Don’t stand outside when the way has been made. Don’t admire the threshold — walk through it. Enter boldly. Enter with thanksgiving. Enter clothed in His righteousness, not your own. The time for hesitation is over. The blood has been shed. The veil has been torn. The call has been made. Step through the Gate of the LORD and declare with all your heart: “You have become my salvation!” Let your praise shake the courts of heaven. The door is open—go in!
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]Reading the gospels I find myself considering and identifying with the very human experiences and emotions of the Apostles, especially as the pace and intensity of the events of their lives with Yeshua were unprecedented. I have to wonder if the pace and intensity of the days of our lives can compete with theirs. Witnessing His miracles, His authoritative and concise way of teaching, His inevitable rejection, torture and crucifixion, His astounding exuberant resurrection, and eventual returning flight to Heaven from whence He came…all this must have had a rather relentless effect upon those who walked in any way closely with Him. Would it be fair to compare our present day scientific and technical accomplishments, political gymnastics, information explosion, pandemics, media magic, and the plethora of personal events, encounters and challenges, with their apostolic roller coaster ride?
The central fact of the gospel message is the resurrection of Yeshua (Jesus), declared in Psalm 2, the begotten Son of God. In 1952, Dead Sea scrolls were discovered in Cave 4 called the “Messianic Apocalypse”. The Messiah’s ministry of resurrection is reiterated in these ancient documents with an obvious reference to Isaiah 61:1-3. The scroll identifies someone who “… will heal the wounded, and revive the dead and bring good news to the poor.” It is clear that at least some of the authors of these documents clearly understood the central nature and ministry of the coming Messiah, most certainly based on their intimate knowledge of the prophetic writings in the Tenach (OT)…that ministry, resurrection of the dead.
I’m not sure how much I enjoy the freezing weather here as we’re traveling across the United States, but I certainly can’t wait till Spring comes! On the Hebrew calendar Nisan is the month that transitions from winter to Spring.
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Gas is going up…a lot. But your tank is the same size, and not filling up is not an option, unless you want to park in the shoulder lane, or leave the car in the garage. Leave the car in the garage (if you have a car)….now there’s an idea. Perhaps, this weekend, the best way to refuel is NOT to spend money on gas, or go driving somewhere!
Over the years I’ve often gotten emails asking “When do you think revival will come?” Well…. first, what is “revival”, exactly? One of Merriam-Webster’s definitions is “a renewed attention to or interest in something”.