Most days at a certain time I grab my keys and head for the mailbox. I have to confess that I always feel a sense of anticipation as I walk there. And as I turn the key in the lock and open the door, I look inside, and then reach for whatever is there. On really good days, there is another key in the mailbox that opens a larger mailbox for packages! Another delight is to find a letter or card from a friend. More disappointing is “junk mail”, which gets thrown into recycling. After I empty the mailbox, I use my key to relock it.

I have other keys on the chain, like my car key, which when used, takes me wherever I want to go. I can open my car or lock it with that single key. Every night my husband asks me, “Did you lock your car?” Once when my car was not locked, someone broke in and went through it, looking for money. Another car I had was taken for a joyride by teenagers, and then abandoned. As the owner, I should use my key in a responsible way.

This verse talks about the keys of the Kingdom that we have been given, being able to open whatever we want and to lock up whatever we want on earth, knowing that it will also be bound or loosed in heaven. When Jesus gave us these keys, he also gave us authority to use them wisely, securing what is important to be kept and loosing what is meant to be open and free.

I have a key to lock up (for good!) the power of any past hurts, misconceptions, anger or false messages that have plagued me for so long.

Lock up fear? Yes! Lock up discouragement? Amen!

I also need to personally bind up in Jesus’ name the ongoing shame of “not measuring up” to everyone’s expectations.

In Isaiah 33:6, the key of the fear of the Lord opens up the treasure box of everything God has for me — salvation, wisdom and knowledge — loosing me from the bondage of the law and living in the freedom that God has given me!

Father God, thank you for giving me the keys to the kingdom of God. Please help me to understand what you want me to do with them, and to use them with authority in your name. Amen.

Throughout This Day: These keys seem to represent authority and power to make a difference here on earth. Reflect on these questions whenever you can: What keys do you have? Do you need to use them more? How can you use the kingdom keys God has given you to make a difference in the world today?



Tags: Daily Devotional Matthew 16
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