Keep on Knocking
Saturday night, I was sound asleep when I heard pounding on the back door of my children’s home. Then my phone rang. It was my grandson. He was locked out. I had checked my 360 app before I fell asleep (it was late) and it indicated he was home. But, I didn’t realize that he was still in his car when I checked. Good thing I heard that knock and my phone ringing! I was quick to let him in!
Have you ever felt like you were knocking on God’s door, and it seemed nobody’s home? You know He’s in there. You have His blessed assurance that He is there. You continue to pound away at the door – pleading, begging, seeking, knocking, but the door just doesn’t open.
We’ve all felt that way. Here we are at the Christmas season when we’d love to give to our family and others, but there’s so little or nothing at all to be a giver. You may be looking for a job or a better job. You know how thrilling it is for children at Christmas, and while you have tried to conceive for that experience with your own baby, your prayers aren’t answered yet. You or a loved one may be suffering from a tormenting illness and the thought of Christmas makes you want to say “bah humbug” because you aren’t able to get caught up in the joys of the season.
I am reminded of the night at a Life Group I held in my home when one of the gals shared that her job was being discontinued and she was concerned about her future. While we were encouraging and reminding her of God’s faithfulness, I remarked “This situation is no surprise to God. Trust Him that as one door closes, another door will open.” At the same moment that I said those words, my front door gently opened and only the sunlight came in. (See below photo!) In awe with holy chill bumps, we believed God staged this moment to impress upon us that when we invite Him into the door of our hearts, He comes in and confirms what we do and speak in faith – is true.
We know it was no coincidence that the door opened when it did. We declared what God’s Word says, “As your faith is, so be it unto you.” (Matthew 9:29) In a matter of days, after this young woman knocked on some doors for that new job, one did open for her above and beyond what she was believing for.
It’s in these times that our loving Father, on the other side of the door, gently whispers to us “Be still and know that I am God. Be still and listen.” All we can see is the closed door, but God is working all things for our good on the other side of the door. He’s repositioning circumstances and people for an answer to our prayers (our knocking). Very soon that door will swing wide open, and He will do a quick work. In the meantime, He’s getting people, places, and things in order for us.
Are your knuckles red from pounding on heaven’s door? Are you discouraged because no matter how hard you pray, all you see is a door with a deadbolt on it? I have good news for you! Remember Jesus walking through the walls to the disciples? He doesn’t need a door to show up for you. Stop and listen. Be still in His presence and let Him assure you that He is working behind the scenes to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!” (Ephesians 3:20)
Keep on knocking. Soon, you’ll see the door open, and the SON-shine will come in. Be encouraged by Matthew 7:7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”