Influencers Weekly Devotional

What's Behind the Next Door? by

Rocky Fleming

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.'” Revelations 3:7-8 (ESV)

I have a dear friend who is being challenged right now in a deep, personal way. He has been a faithful man of God as long as I have known him, which is about 35 years. He and his wife are generous with their material resources and time, and care for people. He has been a brilliant financial planner, and very successful in his career. However, he has been presented an ailment that will force a job change on him, and the need to restructure his career. He still has much to offer an employer and a client, and I believe he will continue the quality, diligent work he is famous for in any new job he is offered. But, a change must happen, and the question is, “Will God be there for him behind the Next Door?” I have been carrying out the role of being his friend, as my Savior has defined it for me. Mostly, I have befriended him with encouragement and a reminder that his very Best Friend, Jesus, is always near to him and to not lose hope. I've cried for him and with him. But, I have never despaired for him, for I know that God holds the key to the Next Door and behind that door is something better than the current challenge. As a friend, it is my Sacred Responsibility to my King to be a friend who reminds him that the cloud that hovers over him has the Son behind it. (Note, I spelled “Son” as I meant it.) He knows these things, but it helps to be reminded of this truth by a friend. How can I be so certain of the counsel I give to him? You've heard it before from me; “Experience trumps theory,” and it is my personal experience that God opens and closes doors, and when He opens a door for His man, there is no power that can overcome it. I don't despair for him, for I know Who is in charge of his life. The verse in Revelations 3:7-8 reveals several things about an opened and closed door in a Man of God's life. First and foremost is the fact that God is sovereign, and His desired outcome will be accomplished. No matter what the power of man and evil that will come our way, God will trump anything opposed to His will and purpose for our life. The second thing revealed is the blessing from a closed door, and then an opened one. I would imagine that most of the readers of this devotional understand that the “door” being referenced represents the close of a place or position in life, and the entry into a new one. Most of the time, a closed door represents some kind of disappointment, and an open door represents a new opportunity. Would it be that we would all hate our old life and its circumstances so much that leaving one door to go to another causes us to skip like a prisoner let out of jail. This is the kind of closed and open door we all want, and it would make accepting it easier. But, it is not that clear cut. Often we don't want to leave where we are, no matter how limiting it might be. We are like an abused wife who would rather remain with an abusive husband than have no one in her life, even if it meant living with a cruel man. Sometimes we have grown accustomed to our rut. A friend of mine once told me that his rut is self-made and he has grown to like it. Both of these examples tell us that it will have to be a door closed in their face to make them leave their present life, and to then venture into that which lies behind the Next Door. Although it might seem a fearful endeavor, by faith, we can trust God to have a plan behind the closed and opened doors, and it is good. So, we don't have to fear it. I mentioned my personal experience with the Next Door. Several years ago, I was on the short list for a new job. It was something I had prayed for, and once it looked like a possibility, the anxiety that it might not happen came knocking on my door. I listened to this spirit of anxiety long enough to allow it to drive me close to the King for His comfort and wisdom. It was in this seeking that God gave me the verse and assurance mentioned in Revelations. As I processed through the verse and how it applied to my life and the circumstance I was in, I could hear two opposing forces trying to capture my attention. One voice was evil, and it reminded me that my hope would not be fulfilled and that he and his followers would make sure of it. No matter what the truth was, or how well suited I was for the job, he would make sure it didn't happen. The other opposing force was God's assurance that He alone closes and opens doors. I was then asked, “Who do you believe, the Father of Lies or the Father of Truth? You are required to make a choice with whom you will believe if you want to find peace. But, either way, whether it be what you want or not, I have a plan for you, and you must trust My involvement with the process.” I chose my Advocate's voice, and decided to trust that whatever might come my way would be by God's design, and not an enemy in the flesh or the spirit world. My experience with trusting God with the Next Door was rewarded, as He indeed had His way, and nothing on this earth could shut the door He opened. This was a good example to teach me that God is in control. They have not all been so clear and what I hoped for. But, they have all turned out good, which is the truth with the way God works. There have been other closed and shut doors since that time. Some have not been as immediately delightful as the first, but the process would be the same, as I would be challenged to trust God with what is unknown and behind the Next Door. Will it be ugly? Will it be frightening? Will there be disaster, or pain, or ruin behind the Next Door? Certainly these thoughts come to mind during the process. But, what about the other side of those questions: What will the Next Door be like? Will it be delightful? Will it be freeing? Will it be a joyful place. But, most of all, will God be there with me? “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” Ps 139: 7-10 Men, if there was ever a man who had to face many closed and opened doors, it was King David. His life was a revolving door with changes that came his way. Some were good, and some were bad. This was a man with experience, and he tells us like it is. He tells us that there is no place we can find ourselves where God and His provisions will not be there for us as well. Paul had a similar message when God told him that His grace will be sufficient for him in all circumstances. So, we must conclude that we should not fear the Next Door, or the Closed One. Instead, we should trust God with the process, and allow His peace to assure us that He is in control. Are you like my friend who is facing a closed and open door right now? Does it have you frightened? Well, I've got to believe that this devotional was inspired and written for you. God is telling you to not be afraid. He is with you as you go through the Next Door, and you can count on Him. Download file