God has more for us and sometimes that requires the Lord’s intervention. The Holy Spirit can close doors. Perhaps you have experienced a time when this happened. I remember a time in my life when a door closed in a work-related situation because of an economic downturn. Although I applied at the same company over a year later that door never opened. My life, in many ways, was at a crossroads and the path that I was on was redirected. The Holy Spirit closed a door by God’s sovereign will.
Paul and Silas Experienced the Spirit Closing a Door
Paul and Silas planned on ministering to the people in what is now western Turkey but realized through the Lord’s intervention that was not His plan. There would come a time when the people of this area would be ministered to, but that would not be on this trip.
Acts 16:6 Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. 7 Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. 8 So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. [1]
One Door May Close but Another Will Open
God often intervenes by closing doors to help us head in the right direction. Fortunately, when one door closes another door will open. What can the Lord teach us through closing and opening doors? Closed doors:
- Are an act of God’s grace. By closing a door, the Lord can prevent us from being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
- Can redirect us. Paul and Silas were redirected toward what God’s plan for them was. Perhaps you have been redirected when a door closed in your life. In my life I have experienced several doors that closed resulting in being redirected. In retrospect each redirection resulted in my life
- Give us time to think. When a door closes it gives me an opportunity to rethink my situation. When given more time we often make better decisions. A time of prayer and reflection can be keys in moving in the right direction and coming to peace with a closed door.
Perhaps you are experiencing a closed door right now as you read this. If you have experienced a closed door in the past, what did the Lord teach you through this situation? How did situation test your faith? How has your faith grown during this time of testing?
To hear how the Holy Spirit can close doors, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-more-a-vision-for-paul
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 16:6–8). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.