Most of my life I have heard people talk about open doors. When I was young I only heard it in reference to opportunity, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve also discovered it can mean behaviors, etc. that leave an opening for the enemy to mess with us. Over the next two days we will discuss both, starting with God’s open doors.
When I walk out life decisions, I always pray for God to open any door I am supposed to go through and to close all wrong doors and protect me from even myself. This has served as a prayer that makes me feel hemmed in by His Spirit. As I confidently walk forward in life, I trust Him to do just that. I have watched Him protect me and my family in one decision after another, which has only increased my faith in His protective hand.
Likewise, if I need to let someone else in my life, like my husband or child, make a wise decision, I pray God will open right doors and close wrong doors and protect them even from themselves.
My question today is, do you allow God to direct your steps and open your doors? Or do you pound on a door and work until it opens whether it should or not? We can force our way. He won’t usually stop us from doing so. I have watched as God has closed doors for people, only to see them later force the issue and “make” it happen. This undoubtedly ends up being a costly mistake.
I have also watched God open doors for people, very clearly, and then witnessed them refuse to walk through them because it was scary or not the way they thought He would answer.
I have recently come face to face with that scenario for myself. A door appeared to be opening, but it seemed to contradict the promises God had spoken to me, so I didn’t realize it was Him. I was resisting. Then in a quiet moment, He spoke to me. It was almost like my mind expanded and He showed me how He was the One guiding this new direction and He asked if I would accompany Him. Immediately, I repented and began to shift my walking. He showed me that repentance wasn’t really necessary though, because I had been unaware, and my resistance had stemmed from a desire to walk in faith. I only needed to allow Him to adjust my path. Since doing so, one miracle after another as occurred. Peace has held my heart. And what seemed like a hopeless and painful situation, has bloomed into a feeling of promise and hope over my future!
Oh, how sweet it is to follow Jesus. We can trust Him at every turn. Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus. He will make our footsteps firm.
Will you trust in Him today?
These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have not denied My name. Revelation 3:7-8
365 Days in the Presence 