CLOSED DOORS, OPENED DOORS -- Devotional for June 7, from "Good Seeds"

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. 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. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there. (Acts 16:6-10)

One of the means by which we discern God’s leading in our lives is through circumstances. Abraham’s servant was sent to the old homeland in search of a suitable wife for his master’s son. Imagine having such an assignment! But the undaunted servant just pointed his camel in the direction he was sent. Sure enough he was led, purely by circumstances (or so it seemed) to just the right place, and to the perfect young maiden for Isaac. In recounting the course of events to her family the faithful old servant reflected, “And I, being in the way, the Lord led me” (Genesis 24:27). Though we don’t see the big picture of what we are to do, still we can by faith just take the obvious next step. Abraham had been told by God to leave his homeland for another country “that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). He knew from whence he was to depart, but had no idea where he would finally wind up. He only knew a general direction, and that he was to go NOW! But as he went, the Lord led him, step by step, until he came to the place appointed for him by God. Later Abraham’s faithful servant, walking in his master’s steps, had the same happy result. We see the same principle at work for God’s missionaries as they traveled here and there sharing Christ. They had their own ideas of where they should go. They went or stayed as “seemed good” to them (15:34). But the time came when they were prevented in going where they had planned. We don’t know the process, exactly. All we’re told is that Jesus closed the door. How did He do this? Probably through circumstances, making it impossible to proceed as planned. This could have frustrated them, but it wasn’t long before the Spirit of Jesus spoke again, this time revealing to them an opened door. If we follow their example in obeying God’s closed doors as readily as we enter His opened doors, we too will be led by the Spirit of Jesus to just the place He wants us to be.