Open and Shut

I'm reading the Bible in one year and the New Testament reading for December 12 is Revelation 3:7-22.

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 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. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no-one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." - Revelation 3:7-8 (NIV)

To be sure, Revelation 3:7-8 (in context) primarily refers to the sovereignty of God in salvation. However, it also applies to other areas of our lives. If God is sovereign in our eternal lives, how much more is He sovereign in our temporal lives!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" - Romans 8:28-32 (NIV)

Incidentally, I'm also reading Living the Life God has Planned by Bill Thrasher at the moment.

God Speaks Through Circumstances

God can open doors that no man can shut (Revelation 3:8)...

In some cases we need to "wait on the Lord". In fact when we are not willing to wait, our hearts are probably not in a position of faith. In some cases God allows long delays before He does special things. Such was the case of the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah as well as the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias and Elizabeth (Romans 4:17-22; Luke 1:5-25, 57-80). A time of waiting can be a vulnerable time but also a rich time for God to do special things in your life.

- Bill Thrasher, Living the Life God has Planned

God is in control, and He will move heaven and earth to fulfill His will, His 'good, pleasing and perfect will' (Romans 12:2, NIV).

Do you trust that if it is God's will, God will make a way?

Link: The Will of God and the Ways of Man (9 Dec 09)