The good Lord opens doors for us, but if we’re too scared or lazy to step through them, some-body else just might.”
–John Deacon (The Provider 3)
“When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, the Lord opened a door for me.”
–2 Corinthians 2:12 (HCSB)
——————————-
“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. 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.”
–Revelation 3:7-8 (NKJV)
Sometimes we grow weary in the way, but we take a deep breath and continue on. Sometimes it seems as if we cannot take another step then we look up and see a door that is open and beckoning us to enter. Dare to take another step for the door has been opened by the Lord. Step through it. Use what little strength you have and go through the door that has been opened for you. Use the strength you have to walk and you will find that the Lord will add strength to you. Remember the words of Paul regarding the battle, Stand, and after done all remain standing. Read at how the ESV translates verse 8:
“I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
Can you relate? What do you think of when you see a door? Take a moment to visualize what might be behind Door #3, if you remember the TV game show. Can you speculate what might be there? Look at the door, is it locked or slightly open? In my reading I came across this from Vernon K. Lund and it is definitely thought-provoking: “Doors–what a subject to let one’s imagination dwell upon. Doors that are used for shields and coverups–some becoming barriers–some means of escape–some as methods of directing the paths of people–some sagging–some locked–some creaking–some stuck–some sealed–some with no handle–some with a combination lock–some false–some strange and unusual–some transparent–some hollow–some frosted–some sweating–some made of air–some embellished and ornate–some ugly–some inviting–some fearsome–some swinging and hanging–some rotten and useless–some a jar.”
We have seen most of these at times in our lives. But read the Scripture above again. God has set before us an open door. Now the question becomes: Where does it lead? I can tell you that one of the doors that is open to you is tomorrow. The Lord willing, tomorrow will come and you must step through that open door. You cannot go around that door you must enter. “It may be inviting or it may be frightening, but go through it we must.” (Lund) Some, upon looking at the door of tomorrow and knowing what might be there may wish that it would suddenly become yesterday, but that is impossible.
What is tomorrow? What does it hold? Know this, that entering that door of tomorrow is simply a part of life. Know this also, that when you walk through that door you do not go alone, but God strides beside you. Lund continues, “When one crosses its threshold trusting in God’s presence and help, it becomes a challenging adventure. The door cannot be shut; yet it need not be entered alone.”
We need the faith and confidence that whatever the doorway into tomorrow might bring that the Lord is with us. Don’t hesitate, take it as a challenge and make it truly into the day the Lord has made–has made for you to walk in for His glory. Then one day, there will be that massive door of pearl–a gate that is open wide and nothing can shut it. The words of the hymn written by Frederick A. Blom comes to mind: “He the pearly gates will open, So that I may enter in…”