The Doors God Closes
"Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and
were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were
come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered
them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision
appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed
him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us."
Acts 16:6-9
Frederick Robertson had his life planned out. He expected to enter the
British Army and become an officer just as his father had been. He grew up
in forts and army headquarters and loved watching the soldiers drill and
prepare for battle. But his hopes were bitterly dashed when, despite an
excellent academic record, he was left off the list for commissioning of new
officers. Instead Robertson went to Oxford and trained for the ministry. He
became a pastor in Brighton, England for many years, and he touched the
lives of many. God had a different position in mind for Frederick Robertson.
Often our plans do not coincide with what God has in mind, and He steps in
to direct us toward a different path. It is vital that we view these
setbacks properly. Some people become bitter and disillusioned when God
closes a door that they wanted opened. Yet His wisdom and knowledge far
exceed our own, and He knows what is best both for our lives and for His
work. We must be willingly submitted to the direction of God, even when it
is not what we would prefer.
It is easy for us to trust God when things are going well. And it is not
difficult to accept a closed door if we readily see an alternate path before
us. Real faith trusts God even when the closed door seems final. He knows
what is best, and we must trust His plan.
Trusting God even when we do not understand His plan is the essence of
faith.
