A Day-by-day devotional

April 12, 2023

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Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 23-24

Scripture of the Day: Revelation 3:7-8

In the movie ‘The Sound of Music’, Maria said, “When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.” Most of the time, we pray for God to open doors of opportunities for us. When we want something desperately, we long for doors flung wide open so that we can readily enter.

Open doors are wonderful. They give us access to our plans and dreams. Not all accessible doors are entryways to what God wants for our life though. Sometimes, He allows doors to be open so that we can go in and experience what lies behind that door. When we wanted something so badly that we would do anything in our power to have it, without realizing it is not what the Lord has planned for our life, we find ourselves entering an open door. Once we are inside, it is then that we get to see that it is not what we thought it to be. Then we turn to God for help.

However, if we have only prayed differently, we may have been saved from the disappointments and pain we had to go through behind that door. Instead of just praying for the door that we so badly wanted to gain access to, we also have to ask the Lord to close doors for us if it is not His will. An open door would often be much more preferred. Nonetheless, a lot of times, it is the closed doors that we need to be most thankful about.

If we truly want to surrender our lives unto the Lord, we need to also give up our own plans. We have to trade our plans, hopes and dreams, for His. When He closes a door, it is for our own good. It is often a way of saving us from unnecessary suffering and heartbreak. Still, when He closes a door, He most of the time opens a window!

Reflection: Pray for open doors. But pray also for doors to be closed, if it is not the will of God. You will be most grateful for not enduring what you need not go through.

Prayer: Father, thank you for opening doors for me so I can fulfill the plans you have for my life. I am grateful for them. Nevertheless, I ask you to close doors which are not meant for me. Save me from entering the wrong door. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.