(Rev 3:7-8) "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
Do you remember the game Red Light, Green Light? How fun it was to line up and follow directions. When the caller said “green light” you had to move. When the caller said “red light” you had to stop. If you didn’t obey the prompts, you had to stand off to the side. That’s the way it is with God’s guidance. There are open doors that we are to go through, and there are closed doors that we dare not try to open. God, many times, guides through circumstances and it is important that we use wisdom as we test the doors in front of us.
OPEN DOORS: How we love an open door! It keeps things moving and grooving. God is the one who opens the doors of opportunity in life. (2 Cor 2:12) Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord. Doors can also be opened through prayer. (Col 4:3) meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ . . . Peter was freed from prison when the saints prayed. The doors opened, and he walked right out to freedom! (Acts 12) And when wonderful doors are opened by the Lord, expect opposition! (1 Cor 16:9) For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. Satan hates it when God’s people advance.
CLOSED DOORS: God can also close a door. This is when circumstances change to get the attention of the believer. Jacob had this experience with Laban who previously he had favor with, but now things were changing. (Gen 31:2-3) And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.” You see, it was time for him to return to the land of his fathers and fulfil the plan God had for him.
As we move forward in God’s will, the Lord will guide us through circumstances and events in our lives. (Isa 30:21) Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. Doors will open, and doors will close. And all you must do is just follow His leading down the hallway. Test the door knobs. If they open, great. But if they don’t, do not proceed. A prybar should never be at the disposal of the child of God.
I remember starting a few Bible studies in the endeavor to launch a new church. Both times the doors closed. Flop! No harm, no foul. We waited on God for a time. The doors opened, and the new church plant was successful. Red light, green light. God guides through circumstances!
Louie