When One Door Closes

“If it doesn't open, it's not your door.”

Acts 16:6-15
New International Version
Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia

6 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. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi

11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district[a] of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.



Notice it was the Holy Spirit that prevented Paul and his followers from entering the province of Asia and Bithynia. Strategically God was placing them near a shipping port that provided them the means of travel to Philippi. This change in direction testified to the truth of Paul's vision as the Holy Spirit allowed the door to be opened.

Paul and his followers were faithful to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and that allowed the Spirit to bring them to Lydia, who was spiritually prepared to hear the gospel. Not only her but her household was saved. Lydia is the first to be saved in Europe.

It is wise to remember that just because we are prevented from taking one path does not mean the path to come is any less beneficial.

God's prevention will bring you to your rightful destination.

Some misunderstand the prevention and get frustrated or even mad at God, but they, unfortunately, fail to see the alternative path ahead.

Proverbs 16:9
New Living Translation
9 We can make our plans,
but the Lord determines our steps.

If we are not prepared or expecting God's guidance, we very well may miss the lesson, the blessing, or the path He wants us to go down.

Genesis 22:7-8
New Living Translation
7 Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?”

8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.

Genesis 22:12-14

New Living Translation

12 “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”
13 Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

One of the most criticized passages in the Bible by nonbelievers is when Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his one and only son Isaac.

Abraham, in another passage he explains knowing that God could bring his son back to life as God had already promised Abraham that his offspring would come through Isaac. But instead, God had a different plan, a plan to provide a lesson and a blessing.

Abraham was blessed through a miraculous encounter with God. God provided the Ram as a scapegoat rather than a human sacrifice that was tainted with sin. The lesson being a prophetic image in that Abraham offered his one and only son, but God had already predetermined a sacrifice that would be sufficient for all humanity.

John 3:16
New International Version
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Genesis 22:12-14
New Living Translation

12 “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

The scapegoat was only temporary and annually needed for the sins of the people. But the Lamb (Jesus) was sufficient for all of humanity.
Yahweh Yireh the Lord will provide was the lesson that Abraham learned in his faithfulness.

If we fail to be faithful, then we can easily miss the guidance and teachings of God Almighty. Do not get discouraged when one door closes or doesn't ever seem to open; instead, be prepared for guidance, opportunities, and lessons to learn amid changing directions. Amen.