Revelation 3: 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Have you ever locked yourself in a room in your house? Have you noticed that if you lock a room to keep kids out that’s the first door they go to? A closed door is an invitation to them. Have you ever locked your keys in your car? We’re coming to a close of another year. We all have to say that the Lord has been good to us. We may not have gotten what we wanted but our prayer should be “teach us to want what we get. Lord, help us to want whatever doors open to us.” We get shallow in our relationship with God. We think he’s like Santa giving kids what they want. God expects us to grow in grace. He wants us to ask for things we desire but he sees what’s best in all things. He may shut doors. Don’t get mad at him. He knows what’s best.
Many doors have been opened. We had a choice of what to do. Don’t walk away from an open door. A door in front of you will either open or stay shut. If God locks it, don’t try to unlock it. Remember to trust the salvation of God. If we serve the Lord we don’t order our own steps. God orders them. In his divine will he’ll keep doors shut or he’ll open them. Don’t try to kick open or concoct a way to get in a closed door. It if is meant to be open, he’ll open it in due time. Just say blessed be the name of the Lord.
Verse 9 says there was a competing religion in the church of Philadelphia. He called it the synagogue of Satan. It was not strong enough to go against the Lord. Jesus put a door in the way that no man or power could shut. If a door is in your way and it opens, so be it. If it never opens, then give glory to God and go on.
Doors let you in but they also keep others from getting in. We lock our doors at night to keep people from getting in. Don’t let a door stop you. If it doesn’t open it is for your protection. No matter how much the devil hinders don’t let him get in the way of the door of prayer, the door of the Word, or the door of his power. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Jesus is the door that gets us through life. Be satisfied with whatever doors he opens. Don’t get mad at God if things seem to go bad. Realize he’ll get you through. Romans 8:28 still says all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. That’s what the Master wants us to know as we face this new year.
Soon Jesus is coming again. The door for salvation is still open if you need to go through it. The door of getting down to business with God is open. Do you have the guts and the faith to go through it?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 