Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 2, 2017
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7
Maybe you have heard someone say they are trusting God, that if He wants them to do something that He will open a door, but that if He doesn’t want them to do it, that He will close the door. This is how they plan on making a decision to do this or that, go here or there.
Sure, living by open and closed doors can sometimes be a less assertive way to live out one’s faith and therefore, less frightening. In 1 Corinthians 16:9, Paul said that an “effective door” for ministry had opened to him. And in Acts 16:6, he talks about a closed door. After he’d been working with the Galatian churches, he decided to go into the Province of Asia. However, he said that he was “forbidden” by the Holy Spirit. No matter how this forbidding came, it came in the form of a closed door. While God does direct us through open and closed doors, it’s unwise to make every decision based on open or closed doors.
“. . . Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).
I once prayed and asked God to give me the tools and money I needed to develop a Christian ministry. Within a week someone randomly crossed my path who offered to help me with a plan and provide the much-needed financial resources. It was exactly what I was looking for, so I naturally took this as God’s open door. After all, I had prayed, and . . . tada! There was the answer! This “open door” turned out to be a disaster that hurt me and others who worked with me. On the backside of that trial, I am convinced God allowed this person in my life to grow my discernment. Since then, He has reminded me of several lessons about open and closed doors. I invite you to keep these in mind as you pursue God’s will for your life.
When you experience an open door that looks exactly like what you need or want, don’t be in a hurry. God is a gentleman. He isn’t pushy. He leads those who belong to Him. For these reasons, you don’t need to be panicked, or in a hurried rush to make a decision about any open door.
Make sure to pray over the open door and seek wisdom in God’s Word. Submit your will to His. You might also seek wise counsel to make sure you are making the right choice. Sometimes others can see what we can’t because our desires cause us to miss important information.
Finally, remember there is no need to be afraid about making decisions. Rather, you can move forward in confidence knowing that God will lead. You can also rest assured that even if you get off track, that He is faithful to teach you and use it for His glory and your good. You can never get out of His hand.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it”’ (Isaiah 30:21).
Prayer
Help me to always humbly submit to your leading and give me the wisdom I need to discern your will. Amen.Application
Are you facing an open door? Put what you learned today into practice.Related Reading
Ecclesiastes 7:12; Proverbs 23:23; 1 John 4:1; Philippians 1:9-10Post/Tweet today
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Let every body hear the voice of the Lord and walk in his green pastures.
Amen. Praise the Lord