Doors in the Word of God can be hopeful or hopeless. Unfortunately, man sometimes closes a door against the Lord. How often do we limit God by refusing to let Him in? The rich young ruler turned away from the Lord rather than sell his possessions and give the money to the poor (Matthew 19:22). The people of Jerusalem would not get close to the very Lord who came to deliver them words of truth (Matthew 23:37). The church in Laodicea heard the Lord say, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). It is sad to think an assembly of Christians would not let the Lord inside.
Our loving Father has promised to give His children protection. The story of Noah includes, “So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in” (Genesis 7:16). Behind that door, Noah, his family and the animals he had taken in remained safe, while all other flesh died. The devil correctly charged God with putting a protective barrier around Job (Job 1:10). Even in times of temptation, He will provide a way of escape (2 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13).
Paul understood it is within the power of the Sovereign of the universe to give His people a door to tell the good news. God placed doors before the apostle in Ephesus and Troas (1 Corinthians 16:8-9; 2 Corinthians 2:12). Christians need to pray for contact with seeking souls today.
Each of us has an important choice to make. We can close the door against God, losing the many blessings He has promised. Or, we can obey Him and find doors closed around us to keep us safe. Additionally, those choosing God’s protection must ask for open doors to tell others the Gospel. “Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27 NKJV).
