Day 230- Thankful for opened and closed doors

In the last year or so, things have changed at our house. Our son started his first year of college away from home, and his sister moved into his room at home. Before that time, when I used to come home from running an errand, she would hear the doorbell and come let me in. That worked out so well that I am still having troubles remembering that I should just get my key out and unlock the door for myself.  Haha

When I arrive at the locked door on a hot day, the amount of time it takes to dig my key out of my purse is all it takes for me to start feeling suffocated.  Hopefully I will have it down pat by the time the weather gets cold again.

It’s nice to have someone to open the door, and it’s also nice to have a key to open the door.  Being given the key gives me the right to open the door and go inside.

God has given me many open doors in life.  But He has also closed doors that I really wanted Him to keep open.  It took many years for me to see that sometimes when He closes a door, it is for our good.

God has given the most important door of all,  Jesus Christ, who is the way to the Father. Jesus, Himself, said:

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”  John 10:9 ESV

Jesus is the door that we must enter in order to come into the presence of God.  Only the blood of His perfect sacrifice is able to wash us from all sin so we can enter the presence of God, who is Holy.

Through Christ we can come into God’s presence and ask Him to open doors or close them to bring glory to His name.  What a precious gift He has given us in this!

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 BSB

“And to the messenger of the church in Philadelphia write: These things says the Holy One, the True One, having the key of David, the One opening and no one will shut, and shutting and no one opens.”  Rev. 3:7 Berean Literal Bible

Sometimes I use this verse, Revelation 3:7, in my prayers.  I ask God to shut doors to those who are trying to spread evil.  I also ask Him to open doors to those who are trying to spread righteousness.  He alone knows how He needs to answer that.

I’m also reminded of another door, our heart’s door.  This is the door that we need to open when He knocks there.  We talk about having to wait for Him, but did it ever occur to us how many times He waits for us?  He has this waiting thing down a lot better than we do.  He knocks patiently in love, and when we open to Him, He brings that love on in.  Of course, if we ignore His knocking, He may knock a little louder.  I’d rather have an intimate dinner with Jesus, wouldn’t You?

“Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.”  Revelation 3:19,20  BSB

Today, I’m thankful for open doors and for the opportunities that they bring. 

I’m also thankful for the doors that God closes to protect us and to bring good into our lives through another way. 

I’m thankful that Jesus is the Door that we can enter to come before the throne of God’s grace. 

And I’m thankful that He stands at our heart’s door, knocking patiently, inviting us to dine with Him and to walk with Him on the way of righteousness.

What about you?  Have you ever had the Lord close a door that you really wanted to go through?  Were you upset at first?  Or did you realize it was for your best, even though you didn’t understand it at the time?  Have you opened up your heart’s door to Jesus and invited Him in?  Did you ever think about how much waiting God has to do for us?  Aren’t you glad He is patient and merciful towards us?

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