1/10/2022
As we do God’s will, or obey Jesus by going into the world to delver His gospel, we come to various crossroads, and we ask to be shown which way to go. This is the proper thing to do, but quite often, as we approach these places of decision, all we hear are slamming doors, and the only one that remains open leads us down the same tiresome road we have been walking. This is often disappointing when we want to do new and great things, but God, through the Holy Spirit, desires something different… something that eventually will be more advantageous to Him, His kingdom, and will lead us into eternity as we glorify Him.
“And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.”
Acts 16:6 ESV
We are often headstrong, and feel that we know what’s best as we make our way in life, only to find that doors keep closing before us, and we wonder if God is actually hearing our prayers. In our day to day lives we desire a great many things, and pray for them, but they don’t come, so we think that God hasn’t heard us, Isn’t there any longer, or that He is not keeping His promise to us. Whatever we are thinking it is our own will, pride, or selfishness, that is blinding us, and until we realize that not every road we long to travel, is what God will’s for us, that each slamming door is revealing something far more important to us about our own ego, and that it is prohibiting us from being satisfied with the will of God. Is this how we find ourselves reacting to the doors that close in our lives?
“And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.”
Acts 16:7-8 ESV
So the doors continue to close, until at last we become angry, and find ourselves forcing open a door that the Holy Spirit has closed. When we do this we find ourselves confronted by hardships, or not being able to achieve what we had desired. We are in this predicament because we were unwilling to wait, too impatient in prayer, or were thinking that we knew more than the Lord. This is the outcome of our bullheadedness, our inability to hear His voice, not seeking His will, or by disobeying Him when He closes the doors. Our pride and desire to go our own way becomes our downfall, but if we wait for Him to open the perfect door, then we will find that we serve Him best, and our lives will be enriched.
“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”
Acts 16:9-10 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for leading us through life. Thank you for the doors we find standing wide open for us, but thank you all the more for those that you close in front of us. Help us Father as we seek out your will, and give us the faith we need to accept it, and obey it, despite our own desires. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who walks with us throughout our lives. Praised be your name for the righteous path you have prepared for us, and for every closed door that keeps us walking within your will. Help us Lord to understand the lessons of faith you are teaching us, and for all the times you say no when our judgment is impaired by our own selfish desires… even when we are trying to serve you in our own way. You are merciful and good Lord, and even when you correct us you are steering us away from harm, and leading us to glorify you. Open our eyes as the eyes of Jesus were opened. Close the doors that might seem good, but don’t satisfy your will, and that won’t keep us on the path of obedience that makes us pleasing to you. Be pleased with us Father, just as Jesus was pleasing to you. Wash away our sins with His blood Lord, and strengthen us as we each pick up our cross, and follow Him. Let our path, and every closed door lead us ever onward towards the narrow gate, and perfect us in anticipation of your judgement. See the image of Christ when you look upon us, call us your children, and then open that final glorious door, as you seat us at your table forevermore.
““Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Matthew 7:13-14 ESV
Rich Forbes