An Open Door That No One Can Shut

God opens doors and closes doors as we go through life. Life is full of change. Navigating the changes that life brings our way can be scary at times.

One of my favorite scriptures is found in Psalms 37:23, where it says, “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives” (NLT) This scripture offers great comfort and encouragement. It assures us we don’t have to always know what our next move in life is going to be.

We can rest in the knowledge that God knows what is best for us. He will direct us accordingly as He sees fit. As our situations change, if we will allow Him to, God will direct our steps. He will lead us down the paths that are the best for us. To follow the direction and leading of God, we have to be able to recognize which doors God has opened for us. We must also be able to recognize which doors God has closed.

Some changes we experience are due to the fact that doors open and doors close. God has opened doors in my life, and He has closed some doors. As you read this, you may be wondering what doors I am referring to. The doors have involved many areas of my life. Throughout a lifetime, God opens doors of opportunity in careers, doors to relationships, and doors to ministry.

There are undoubtedly many other types of doors God can and does open. Just as certainly as God opens doors, He also closes doors. One of the keys to a successful and fulfilling life is being able to distinguish between and recognize which doors God has opened and which doors God has closed.

God’s message to John on the Isle of Patmos. In Revelation 3:7 it says, “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open.” (NLT) This scripture was part of the revelation from God that the disciple John received while exiled on the Isle of Patmos.

In this scripture, “the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David”, refers to Christ. In this scripture, God wanted to make it clear that Jesus has the ability to open doors no one can close, and close doors no man can open. Jesus holds the keys and whatever he opens and closes is simply the action of fulfilling the will of God the Father.

God opens doors no one can shut and closes doors no one can open

I wonder how many of us, including myself, have spent wasted years trying to force open doors God has shut. Attempting to open a door God has shut is futile. It will only lead to frustration and discouragement. As the word tells us, if God shuts a door, there is nothing we or anyone else can ever do that will open the door. I also wonder how many of us have missed or neglected doors God had opened over the years. Those doors had the potential to change our lives for the better.

Now, there is a truth in this passage of scripture that I want you to notice. Notice that it says WHAT HE OPENS NO ONE CAN SHUT. This indicates that God does at times open doors that were PREVIOUSLY shut. We are also told that WHAT HE CLOSES NO ONE CAN OPEN. This makes it clear God also closes doors that were previously open.

In His Word

As I write this, I am reflecting on my own life.  I wonder how many times I have spent wasted months or years trying to force open doors God had closed. Also, I wonder how many doors God has opened for me to walk through that I failed to recognize.

How many did I fail to walk through because of fear of the unknown?

Have you tried to pry open any doors? Have you missed any open ones?

Allow me to end this post by leaving you with this scripture, Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (NLT) 

If we will heed the advice of this passage of scripture, God will prevent us from wasting time trying to pry open doors He has shut. He will also lead us through the doors He wants us to walk through.

Don’t get discouraged if a door has recently shut in your life, or a door you hoped would open has remained shut. God has something even better in store. He has a door prepared just for you that will bring blessings and change to your life. When you find that open door, walk through it boldly in faith. You won’t be alone. God will be right there with you. Trust him. He knows what’s best for you.  

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