Believing the Promises of God - in His Word

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed… Without weakening in his faith… Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. ~ Romans 4 [selected 18-21]



Monday, June 21, 2010

AN OPEN DOOR


We may only have a window of time to walk through a door that God has opened to us. Sometimes there is a pleasant treasure waiting on the other side. Sometimes the door will lead to a difficult task that God has asked of us. Yet still - there is only that window of time to accept or reject that open door.

1 Samuel 3:14-20 (The Message)
11-14 God said to Samuel, "Listen carefully. I'm getting ready to do something in Israel that is going to shake everyone up and get their attention. The time has come for me to bring down on Eli's family everything I warned him of, every last word of it. I'm letting him know that the time's up. I'm bringing judgment on his family for good. He knew what was going on, that his sons were desecrating God's name and God's place, and he did nothing to stop them. This is my sentence on the family of Eli: The evil of Eli's family can never be wiped out by sacrifice or offering."
15 Samuel stayed in bed until morning, then rose early and went about his duties, opening the doors of the sanctuary, but he dreaded having to tell the vision to Eli.
16 But then Eli summoned Samuel: "Samuel, my son!"
Samuel came running: "Yes? What can I do for you?"
17 "What did he say? Tell it to me, all of it. Don't suppress or soften one word, as God is your judge! I want it all, word for word as he said it to you."
18 So Samuel told him, word for word. He held back nothing.
Eli said, "He is God. Let him do whatever he thinks best."
19-21 Samuel grew up. God was with him, and Samuel's prophetic record was flawless. Everyone in Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, recognized that Samuel was the real thing—a true prophet of God. God continued to show up at Shiloh, revealed through his word to Samuel at Shiloh. [emphasis added]
__________________
I visited a very old church building this past Sunday night, probably about 100 years old, in the old seafaring town of Tuckerton, New Jersey. This door beckoned my entrance to the Sanctuary, though I had no idea what to expect inside. As I opened it and stepped across its threshold - the words over that door spoke to me like fresh wind from the spirit.


JESUS NEVER FAILS!

God held the sun in the sky just long enough for me to gasp at the beauty and wonder of many stained glass windows that lined each side of this old 'holy of holies'.

How many old hymns were sung in this place?
Did the people who worshiped here really know that JESUS NEVER FAILS? Do we really believe that? In the core of our being? In our marrow? Do we understand the depth of His love for us in the sacrifice He made in order to redeem us and give us access back to the Father? Do we understand His pure act of obedience to the Father - the same as Isaac to Abraham - and Abraham to God - when they trekked [slowly and laborously] up that mountain together so long ago?

Isaac trekked with Abraham - and Abraham trekked with God. Each had stepped through an imaginary door to which there was no turning back. Just like Jesus did with His Father. Each was willing to enact the part He was asked by God! Each was triumphant in the end.

Samuel's obedience was painstaking, yet God honored that obedience and blessed Samuel for the rest of his days for carrying out His instructions without a flaw!

What is your 'window of time'? What door of obedience is God asking you to walk through at this season of your life. Will it make a difference for all eternity?

Like Abraham, Isaac, Samuel and Jesus, are you willing to walk through it without looking back trusting that Jesus Never Fails?

Choosing JOY, Stephanie

14 comments:

Melanie said...

I am definitely seeking God's direction in this area. I actually just blogged about this last week. I feel His leading but I am not exactly clear on His place for me in service to Him right now. I would appreciate your prayers.

God bless!
Melanie

~ melscoffeebreak.blogspot.com ~

Melanie said...

I pray as I walk through the doors He opens that I am led in "triumphal procession."

Melanie ~ 2 in a row!

KrippledWarrior said...

You asked a great many questions here today. And I can only answer for myself.
As for me and my house, I will follow the lord.

Sharon Sloan said...

Hi, Stephanie! First, welcome to Titus 2!!! Very excited you are joining us!

I love this post. I am going to go re-read Samuel 3 in my own Bible now, too. :)

We live in a suburb of Philadelphia...and we LOVE Ocean City NJ!!! It's one of our favorite places!! And dear, dear friends of ours are the pastor and pastor's wife of our favorite church in OC.

Pleasure to meet you in Bloggityville. Looking forward to getting to know you.

Sharon

Beth in NC said...

Wow, what a great post! I love the pictures -- so beautiful.

I can't imagine having to tell Eli (or anyone else) such a strong word from the Lord.

You're right about walking through doors of destiny.

Unknown said...

Beautiful, thought-provoking post, Stephanie. How true that we are given "a window of time to walk through a door that God has opened to us." I'm learning that whatever the task He's calling me to, He is the One who equips me and is ever faithful! God bless!

Nishant said...

I love this post. I am going to go re-read Samuel 3 in my own Bible now, too.
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elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Oh friend, such a timely post for my heart. As you know, the door we've walked through is this new chapter... new home, new church, new town. You're right. There's no turning back, only forward movement; still and yet, there's a part of me that screams resistance and wants to crawl back in my hole and remain there for a long season... until it all fits; until it all feels like "normal" to me.

I don't know how long that will take, but I do know the One who walks it with me. Truly, without God's long arm of strength and comfort, I'd find that hole and be quite content to stay there.

peace, sweet friend~elaine

Patrinas Pencil said...

'We may only have a window of time to walk through a door that God has opened to us.'

Especially when you ask Him to reveal the open door that He wants you to walk through...He'll turn right around and open that door - all you have to do is walk through it! he is an awesome God. So personal. I am truly learning to TRUST my circumstance to HIM. I need not fear as He is near. Oh how He has 'captured me with His GRACE!. He never fails to amaze me with His Favor.

I love these windows! Beautiful!

Camille said...

Oh yes...Jesus NEVER fails! What a precious thought...we fail, but HE never will! Funny how old churches conjure up thoughts of those that went before...did they follow the LORD? Very interesting to ponder. :)

Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Camille

Wanda said...

Stephanie, I came over to your blog after reading your comment on another blog. And I'm glad I did. This post reminded of something God whispered to me last month "access granted".

Surprised By Joy! said...

This is such a timely post. I feel a door before me. I am ready with God's help to walk through. I want to be obedient to Him.

Blessings,
Tammy

Yolanda said...

Steph:

I love that Jesus NEVER Fails. I also know that I know, that often times He takes us to a task, to smooth up some rough edges, I truly believe that is where He has me in a current situation. I only want to be in the center of His will, and I fear, that I will fail Him. Pray that I won't, ok? I am as well.

Love ya!

DJ at The Quiet Quill said...

"What is your 'window of time'? What door of obedience is God asking you to walk through at this season of your life."

Wow. These are great questions - definitely ones I need to spend some prayerful time pondering and considering.

As you passed through that threshhold that bore the words: Jesus Never Fails, I love how you thought about all the people who have worshiped there in the past.

The story of Samuel is one of my absolute favorites. And it all started with his mom, Hannah. God is so faithful. Through it all, He is faithful. Yes, Jesus never fails! This I believe.

Thanks for sharing such an encouraging and thought-provoking post.

DJ