“One of the promises of Scripture I pray most frequently is Revelation 3:7, and let me note up front that it’s a package deal. You can’t pray for open doors without accepting closed doors. After all, one usually leads to the other.”- Mark Batterson
“These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”- Revelation 3:7
Mark Batterson continues Chapter 7 of Whisper as he talks about the subject of open and closed doors. The author compares the will of God to the iconic opening to the classic television series Get Smart. As the program opens, Maxwell Smart walks through a series of doors before he finally enters CONTROL headquarters in Washington, D. C.
Similarly, Mark observes, we walk through a door, thinking it’s our final destination. But, it’s actually a door leading to a door that leads to another door. Most noteworthy, Pastor Batterson underscores, opening and closing doors provides on of the most mysterious and miraculous ways in which God reveals His sovereignty.
Furthermore, Jesus opens impossible doors and leads us to impossible places. As Mark stresses, it’s one of the ways Jesus whispers. And God has reasons beyond human reason, resources beyond human resources.
Someday, Pastor Batterson believes, we’ll thank God for closed doors as much as we readily thank Him for open doors. Yes, closed doors slam in our faces. And we fail to understand why they closed. However, Mark adds, closed doors = expressions of God’s prevenient grace. In addition, sometimes closed doors:
- come in the form of failure
- are checks from the Holy Spirit that keep us from walking through doors in the first place
Either way, Pastor Batterson emphasizes, “God sometimes shows the way by getting in the way.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses help you accept open and closed doors as a package deal? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Perceived detours and delays set up divine appointments
