During my quiet time this morning I received great encouragement for moving forward in my efforts to get my Bible studies published, even though I don't see how this will ever happen. A good friend of mine is going through the same thing. What about you? Have you ran into any closed doors in your life or ministry? Are you out of work and opportunities to work are almost impossible to find? Has the Lord closed the door on a ministry you thought for sure you were supposed to do?
The apostle Paul faced the same closed doors. Acts 16:6 records: "Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. Just like he did for Paul, God guides and directs us through closed and open doors.
I found an antique devotional book (from 1925) in my mother's things that I am using during my quiet time for 2010 called, Streams in the Desert. I'd heard of it before, but now I know it must be a Christian classic because I found it in the book section yesterday at Costco. Only the best sellers make it for sale at Costco. It has been excellent so far. God used it to speak to me this morning when at the close of the day's devotional regarding closed doors it included the anonymous poem below:
Is there some problem in your life to solve,
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.
He keeps the key.
Is there some door closed by the Father’s hand
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
Trust God and wait—for when He shuts the door
He keeps the key.
Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,
Or answered NOT as you had thought ‘twould be?
God will make clear His purpose by-and-by.
He keeps the key.
Have patience with your God, your patient God,
All wise, all knowing, no long tarrier He,
And of the door of all thy future life
He keeps the key.
Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,
To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just HE sees ‘tis best,
Will give it THEE.
—Anonymous
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.
He keeps the key.
Is there some door closed by the Father’s hand
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
Trust God and wait—for when He shuts the door
He keeps the key.
Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,
Or answered NOT as you had thought ‘twould be?
God will make clear His purpose by-and-by.
He keeps the key.
Have patience with your God, your patient God,
All wise, all knowing, no long tarrier He,
And of the door of all thy future life
He keeps the key.
Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,
To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just HE sees ‘tis best,
Will give it THEE.
—Anonymous
Be blessed and please don't ever give up!
3 comments:
Love it! Been using that devotional off and on for the last 5 years (a BSF TL suggested it. I believe it is a classic. Love you sista ;>). . . . .always encouraging!
Yes, the more I get into it, the more I love it. Like Spurgeon's devotionals, Streams will spend more time on my desk than on the book shelf. :)
Hey Susan -
I just discovered your blog and I love it! I can already tell that it will be of great encouragement. Even the lay-out, colors, and pictures point to QUIET TIMES to hear from the Lord.
You are a blessing.
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