Are we to walk through every open door for an opportunity? Nope, only the ones that the Lord opens. How do we know which one is from Him?
If we don’t have peace, it’s not from the Lord. I started a job a few years back and I knew within the first hour, it was not the door that I was supposed to walk through. It’s funny, I did not have peace that morning while getting ready. I remember weeping and thinking, I’m not sure about this. Why am crying on my first day?
Everything about this first day was awful. No one welcomed me, they forgot to tell me when it was my lunchtime and left me alone with no guidance on the computer for seven hours. It was obvious the manager did not want to be there, nor did I. The atmosphere was cold and thick with oppressive stress. I did not have peace being there, the moment I walked through the door, I knew this door of opportunity was not for me. So I graciously called them that evening and said, “Thank you, but it’s not where I am supposed to be.”
So what did I learn from that experience? Peace is a major factor in starting something new. Actually, in every decision we make. Yes, there is always that nervous feeling, we get, but this was different. I knew the Lord did not direct me there, it was my own choice.
I learned about His peace in that situation, the peace that passes all understanding. This type of peace is lodged way deep down and does not shift nor waiver. It’s almost like a strength inside and a covering over top, that makes me feel like I’m in a bubble of protection.
Paul had said to his followers, “A great door for effective work has opened to me.” (1 Corinthians 16: 9) Many long for that open door.
We’ve all quoted this verse, but we leave out the rest of it. It finishes, “And there are many who oppose me.” (1 Corinthians 16: 9) He was going to Ephesus.
- Sometimes with opportunity, comes opposition.
Jesus is the open door, He will lead you through the correct one. He spoke to the church in Philadelphia (Not PA), saying, “See I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut, I know you had little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (Revelation 3: 8)
Jesus “Opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” (Acts 14: 27)
- When Jesus opens the door, walk through with faith and peace.
- Great faith will be needed when the opposition comes.
Paul was concluding his message and told the church to receive each other in a spirit of unity, as opportunities would open, saying, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16: 13-14)
Yes, “Love covers a multitude of sin.” (1 Peter 4: 8)
(Shared from 1 Corinthians 16, Modified)
God’s great love for us is why He sends the prophets to bring discipline and correction. We know that good parents discipline.
Micah was called to speak of God’s judgment and His deliverance. God always offers an opportunity to be delivered. He said, “Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice, you who hate good and love evil…” (Micah 3: 1-2)
He goes on to describe how cruel the leaders treat the people. He tells them that God will not answer them when they cry out. “He will hide His face from them because of the evil they have done.” (Micah 3: 4)
- When God hides his face, the door closes.
If you hear Him knocking, open the door and invite Him in. That door of opportunity is before us. “I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens, I will come in and eat with that person and they with Me.” (Revelation 3: 20)
(Shared from Micah 3, Modified)
Our little man, “King Joash did what was right in the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him.” (2 Kings 12: 2) He reigned in Jerusalem forty years. He collected money to repair the temple, and all the workers were honest in distributing the money.
King Hazael, of Aram, was coming to attack Jerusalem, and king Joash’s army, but Joash took all the sacred treasures of the temple and gave them to him. Removing these items from the temple was never approved by God. He opened a door, he shouldn’t have opened. It may have looked like a good thing to do because King Hazael canceled his attack.
- Disobeying God is never ok, just to please man.
Unfortunately, Joash’s own officials assassinated him. Elisha had taken ill at this time and Jehoash went before him and wept, for he feared that Israel would crumble when the prophet died. Elisha instructed Jehoash, the king of Israel, to “Get a bow in your hands, he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hand on the kings hand. Open the east window, and shoot! Elisha shot, the Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow victory over Aram! (2 Kings 13: 17)
Since Elisha is about to die, the king thought the door of victory had closed for Israel, but Elisha found the window to help him shoot the victory arrow through.
- The arrow of the Lord’s help and deliverance is still available when shot in faith.
- When a door closes, look for the window. (Taken from 2 Kings 12-13, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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