Tag Archive

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 kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8

There are many times in the Bible when God closes doors. These are times when He shows His great strength and power. He ‘closed’ the gate to the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned. And with that closing it was never to be entered again.

God closed the door on the Ark as the Great Flood began. It was a show of power, protection (for Noah and the animals) and finality. Life would never be the same again on planet earth.

There are other times when doors were closed symbolically to show that God’s timing was not yet complete. The Israelites were delayed from entering the Promised Land due to doubt. David was prevented from building the temple because the time was not yet right.

God closes doors for a reason. In each of our lives there are times when we pray, we plead, we earnestly seek God’s working in particular areas of our lives. It’s frustrating for us when the doors close in front of us. It can cause us to doubt, to become angry, or give up all together.

God also opens doors. When He opens a door there is no shutting it. The Pharisees tried to shut the door of the tomb where Jesus lay. But God opened that door with a thunderous earthquake and NO ONE could close it. Man can try to hold back God’s power but He will never be thwarted by man. God’s open doors are no match for man’s power. Ever.

In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John delivers a message to the churches around him. In each letter the message is basically the same. Clean up your act…or else. There’s one exception to that pattern and it’s seen in the letter to the church in Philadelphia. The church in Philadelphia is described by John as being a weak church. John says, in verse 8, “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 kept my word and have not denied my name.”

The church in Philadelphia was given many opportunities that the other churches around her were not, yet, it appears she was the weakest of all the churches. There was one redeeming quality that brought blessing to the church in Philadelphia. In spite of her weakness she had remained true to her faith in Jesus Christ.

The same is true for each of us as we travel this journey called life. There are times when we feel weak. We look at where we are and where we’ve been and can feel like total failures. Hopelessness and despair can attack us and try to keep us from experiencing the joy of Jesus in our lives.

It’s during these times that each of us needs to look to the open door! In spite of our weakness, God has a multitude of opportunities and blessings for us to enjoy. And when God opens a door for us, there isn’t anyone who can slam it shut.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus. Thank you for the message to the church of Philadelphia. Thank you that even in my weakness you have placed an open door of blessing and opportunity before me. Empower me with your Spirit to refuse to listen to the voices that tell me I’m a failure. Forgive me for the times I have failed and help me to walk boldly through the open doors you have set before me. Amen.