Dearly Beloved,
The message from the Angel of Philadelphia was that God has opened a door which no one can shut and what He shuts, no one can open (Revelation 3:7). Although the church of Philadelphia had little strength, they need to give their all to take upon themselves the opportunities that God has opened unto them. Many Christians have the idea that when God opens a door, everything is smooth sailing without any dangers or difficulties; like roses without thorns or like taking the land of Canaan without giants or battles. For these Christians multiple opportunities and open doors pass them in life without them lifting one finger or taking one step into the waters. They will be hopelessly waiting all their lives and die at the bus stop, still waiting for their bus number to show up. Such bus stops are filled with the graves of such who do not have the boldness or sacrifice to step out of their comfort zone to enter into the land which God has given to them. The land filled with milk and honey is also filled with Canaanites, Jebusites, giants and other difficulties. To the bold belong the spoils, to the faith-filled belong the victory.
Principle One – Discerning the times and seasons
There were four growth period in David’s army: the Adullam cave, the wilderness stronghold, Ziklag and at Hebron. David’s army started from about 400 men who came to him at Adullam cave. They were men who were discontented, distress and in debt growing to about four hundred in number (1 Samuel 12:2). Between the Adullam cave period to Ziklag, the number of David’s army grew to sic hundred men, which means that two hundred were added during the wilderness years (1 Samuel 12:9-10). At David’s lowest point in Ziklag, some Benjamites, Gadites and those from the tribe of Manasseh defected to David (1 Samuel 12:1-20). They helped David against the bands of raiders and became like the army of God (1 Samuel 12:22). At Hebron where David became king over Judah, hundreds of thousands from various tribes joined David against Abner and the house of Saul (1 Chronicles 12:23-38). It is said of Issachar that that they had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do (1 Samuel 12:32). Everyone who came to David during those times knew that it was time to come under David and let him fulfil the prophecy of being king over Israel, even when Saul was still on the throne or one of the descendants of Saul (Ishbosheth). When Abner was murdered and Ishbosheth killed, the tribes of Israel came to David to make him king, saying that he was the one who led them while Saul was king and that the Lord had said to David that he will shepherd Israel and be ruler of Israel (2 Kings 5:2). They knew the word of the Lord but were not willing to flow along until there was no choice. Those who followed David early became the leaders of David who help him rule over all of Israel, becoming his mighty men and counsellors throughout his reign.
Anna the prophetess and Simeon knew the times and seasons of the Lord and was used by God to prophesy at Jesus’ circumcision (Luke 2:25-38). There are always those who had spent a considerable time fasting, praying and serving the Lord who will be able to discern and prophesy of the fullness of time that comes to pass in each season. Of course, some things are not for us to know which the Father has put in His own authority (Acts 1:7). For things pertaining to the Lord’s coming and the times and seasons leading to its fulfilment, we are exhorted to be knowledgeable of such (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2). We are told by Jesus to read the signs and things that happen like watching a fig tree putting forth leaves in summer and be ready (Matthew 24:32). Looking at the fig tree and all the trees when they are already budding, we are to see and know for ourselves that summer is near, likewise recognising when the coming of our Lord Jesus is near (Luke 21:29-31). It is only when we go about carousing in the things of this world, the cares of this life or in drunkenness that the Day of the Lord comes unexpectedly (Luke 21:34).
We must discern the times that we live in and watch and pray so that we are alert to prophecy taking place in front of our eyes in the world and in all that is happening. When we are able to discern the times and seasons, we will be able to flow with what God is doing on the planet earth during our lifetime and also flow into God’s perfect Will. Abner was not flowing in God’s perfect will when he tried to establish the kingdom of Saul under Ishbosheth, and the civil war that resulted caused him to kill Asahel, the brother of Joab. Joab’s vengeance for his brother caused the death of Abner in his prime. God’s permissive will result in the shortening of a person’s life including the forfeit of all the blessings the person might receive in their lifetime. The door was open for Abner to join David after the death of Saul but he decided not to flow into it, instead remaining a general in Saul’s army thinking he can now do what he wants. No one is truly free to do what they want, even after redemption we are slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:18). Sometimes we lead into a new door, at other times we follow those whom God has appointed into new doors of opportunity.
Principle Two – Courage and Boldness
Jesus allows us to count the cost of everything in which we need to do. Whether it be a king going out to war or a builder constructing a tower, it is permissible to count the cost of such endeavour to ensure capability to complete what is started (Luke 14:28-31). The context was not just about doing things on earth but it was about following Him and the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:33). He emphasized that it will cost everything to follow Him. Every man or woman in the Bible who followed God has to pay the one hundred percent price to fulfil God’s perfect Will. And the cost was not just to property or asset but of one’s own life! The bravery and boldness required to seize the opportunities that God has opened for us is always at the risk of one’s entire life when it comes to the things of God. David risked his life against all odds to kill Goliath. Abraham left family and home to go to the land of Canaan. Moses had nothing to live for but God once he accepted God’s calling. Joshua spent his entire life fighting and establishing the land of Canaan. Walking on water risks one’s entire life upon the word or command of God.
Boldness and courage is not foolish jumping into dangerous waters. It is a calculated risk of dependence upon the God whom one has trusted and experienced. David’s courage to face Goliath was based upon his faith and trust in the God of Israel and the covenant that he believed belong to Israel (1 Samuel 17:26). He had also seen the deliverance of God from the lion and the bear (1 Samuel 17:34-36). It is also reliance upon tried and tested methods like his slingshot versus sword and spears (1 Samuel 17:39-40). Usually, God would have already put the man and woman whom He wants to use through multiple tests which they passed before giving them the open door of opportunity. If one fails during any of God’s assigned tests, wouldn’t it be obvious that the same would fail when the open door comes? The lion and the bear that came to David while he was out shepherding the flock was a test of his courage and boldness. His success in passing the test ensured his success with Goliath. Too many Christians who have failed God’s various tests miserably complain too much when they missed their opportune door of blessing. They have only themselves to blame. The ten failures of the Israelites in the wilderness were what caused them to also fail to go into the promise land when the time came for them to do so (Numbers 14:22).
Boldness and courage is both a gift and an attribute of the soul which we must have. It is possible to pray to God for boldness as the Christians did in the book of Acts (Acts 4:29). It is also an attribute of the soul which God continues to encourage in Joshua before he entered the promise land. The word ‘be strong and of good courage’ was repeated redundantly so that we can clearly see it as an important attribute to have to enter into the promise land of our individual lives:
- Moses told Joshua privately to ‘be strong and of good courage’ (Deuteronomy 31:6)
- Moses told Joshua publicly to ‘be strong and of good courage’ in the sight of all Israel (Deuteronomy 31:7).
- During the inauguration ceremony when Moses passed the leadership mantle to Joshua, Moses commanded Joshua to ‘be strong and of good courage’ (Deuteronomy 31:23).
- God told Joshua twice to ‘be strong and of good courage’ (Joshua 1:7, 9).
- The people pledged their obedience to Joshua, allowing him to kill the disobedient, and told him to ‘be strong and of good courage’ (Joshua 1:18).
- After commanding the captains to put their foot on the five conquered kings’ heads, Joshua commanded them to ‘be strong and of good courage’ (Joshua 10:25).
How could anyone miss the fact that the key ingredient to possess the promise land is a heart and soul that is full of bravery and courage? In the day of open doors, the attribute of boldness and calculated risk taking must arise to enter into the doors that God has opened.
Principle Three – Open Doors Happen Once in a Lifetime (with few exceptions)
Discerning the seasons and times which God has set, one must prepare one’s entire life for the open door which God will give during one’s lifetime. Joseph had only one chance to stand before Pharaoh and God had prepared him many years for that opportunity. Daniel had only one chance to stand before the Babylonian emperor to be given the opportunity to interpret his dream. David had only one chance to slay Goliath. It is rare to have more than one chance to take the open door that God gives, and this is only on really good ground, for example like Abraham who had an earlier unrecorded call that precedes Genesis 12:1-2 (Acts 7:2). When Jesus called his twelve disciples, they only had one chance to respond. The rich young man did not have a second chance to be Jesus’ disciple (Mark 10:21-22). To those who follow Jesus, there is no turning back. Jesus said that those who turn back are not fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62). They will be consumed with the judgment as was Lot’s wife (Genesis 19:26).
After a year of travelling through the wilderness and reaching Kadesh Barnea, the Israelites finally had a chance to enter the promise land and asked Moses to send in twelve spies (Deuteronomy 1:19-22). Ten spies agreed that the land was as God says it was, filled with milk and honey, but their fear of the giants in the land discouraged the people from crossing over (Numbers 13:26-29; Deuteronomy 1:24-28). Only Joshua and Caleb had the boldness and courage to cross over (Numbers 13:30; Numbers 14:6-9). Their one chance to enter the land of Canaan was offered to them but Israel refused to go in and the generation that refused all died in the wilderness (Numbers 14:29). Their fear of the giants was greater than their faith in the living God. Their failures resulted from the following:
- Their imagination and vision were filled with giants in the land, causing great fear and emotional crying (Numbers 14:1).
- They spoke wrong words against God and confessed that they would die in the wilderness, which God allowed it to be so, according to their own words (Numbers 14:2, 28-29).
- They had seen the signs and wonders and the glory of the Lord yet they failed in all the ten tests God put them through (Numbers 22-23).
All the ten spies who spoke wrongly died by the plague (Numbers 14:37). And they had only one chance and one day to respond positively to enter the land. The next morning they changed their minds and wanted to go in but it was too later. Their opportunity had come and gone.
As we enter into a new cycle of seven years, having completed the first cycle, let us be sensitive to the opportunities and open doors God has set for us. Some major open doors only has a very, very short window for us to respond positively to. Other training tests and smaller preparatory blessings might have a few chances and cycles of opportunity as arranged by the angels sent by God. But in the main areas of predestination and the key open door that God has for our lives, we have only one chance to flow into it. For those obedient to the Lord, be prepared, be ready to enter into the door which God has opened. Your door of destiny, the perfect Will of God for your life. Amen.