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Genesis 7:16, Revelation 3:7, Isaiah 22:22
Genesis 7:16 says, “And the Lord shut him in.” Revelation 3:7 says, “What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.” Isaiah 22:22 says, “He shall open, and none shall shut. He shall shut, and none shall open.”
These verses teach one clear truth. God controls doors. He opens some. He shuts some. When He shuts a door, no person, no system, and no power can force it open.
Many people fear closed doors. You pray. You plan. You try again. Then the door closes. You feel pain. You feel loss. You feel confused. But a closed door from God is not a mistake. It is not failure. It is guidance.
God shuts doors to protect you. He shuts doors to redirect you. He shuts doors to prepare you.
Let us learn from the Word.
First, God shut the door in the days of Noah.
Genesis 7 tells the story. Noah obeyed God. He built the ark. He entered with his family. The animals came in. Then the Bible says, “And the Lord shut him in.”
Noah did not shut the door. God did.
That door had two meanings.
• It meant safety for those inside.
• It meant judgment for those outside.
When God shut that door, the rain came. The flood came. Nobody could open it again.
People knocked. People cried. It was too late.
Here is the lesson.
When God shuts a door, time for that season is over.
Some doors close because God has waited long enough.
He waited for people to repent in Noah’s time. They did not listen. The door closed.
This teaches us to respect God’s timing.
If God closes a door in your life, do not fight Him. Ask Him what He is saving you from.
Sometimes God closes a door to stop destruction.
You wanted that job. The door closed.
You wanted that relationship. The door closed.
You wanted that deal. The door closed.
You see loss. God sees danger.
Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
God sees what you cannot see.
Second, God shut the door to protect Joseph.
Joseph was sold by his brothers. He worked in Potiphar’s house. He did well. Then trouble came.
Potiphar’s wife lied about him. Joseph was sent to prison.
From human eyes, it looked like a closed door.
• The door of comfort closed.
• The door of promotion closed.
• The door of freedom closed.
But that closed door was part of God’s plan.
Genesis 50:20 says, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”
If Joseph did not enter that prison, he would never meet the king’s servants. If he never met them, he would never stand before Pharaoh. If he never stood before Pharaoh, he would never save many lives.
God closed one door to open a bigger one later.
Some of your closed doors are not punishment. They are preparation.
Do not cry over a door God has closed. Pray for eyes to see the next step.
Third, God shut the door in the life of Paul.
In Acts 16:6-7, Paul wanted to preach in Asia. The Bible says the Spirit did not allow him. He tried another place. Again, the door was closed.
Then God gave him a vision of Macedonia.
Acts 16:9 says, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
The closed doors were guidance.
If God did not close Asia and Bithynia, Paul would not go to Macedonia. If he did not go to Macedonia, many would not hear the message.
Sometimes God says “No” because He has a better “Yes.”
A closed door does not mean God is against you. It means God is leading you.
Fourth, God shuts the door to end a season.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
Seasons change.
• The season of childhood ends.
• The season of training ends.
• The season of waiting ends.
• The season of certain relationships ends.
Not every door is meant to stay open forever.
When God closes a door, He is saying, “This chapter is finished.”
Do not live in old chapters.
Philippians 3:13 says, “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”
Clinging to closed doors brings pain. Walking into new doors brings growth.
Fifth, God shuts the door to test your heart.
Sometimes God closes a door to see what you will do.
Will you complain?
Will you quit?
Will you turn bitter?
Or will you trust Him?
Job lost many things. Many doors closed in his life. Yet he said in Job 1:21, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Your response to a closed door shows your faith.
Do you trust God only when doors open? Or do you trust Him even when they close?
Sixth, God shuts the door because He is Lord.
Revelation 3:7 says, “What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.”
This means God is in control.
• Not your boss.
• Not your family.
• Not your enemies.
• Not your helpers.
God.
People can try to block you. If God has opened the door, they will fail.
People can try to push you forward. If God has shut the door, they will fail.
Learn to rest in God’s authority.
When God shuts a door, accept it. When God opens a door, walk through it.
Seventh, what should you do when God shuts the door?
- Stop forcing it.
If God has closed it, your strength cannot open it.
Proverbs 20:24 says, “A man’s steps are of the Lord. How then can a man understand his own way?”
Do not break doors God has locked.
- Ask God for wisdom.
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.”
Pray simple prayers.
“Lord, show me the next step.”
“Lord, show me what You are doing.”
“Lord, help me to trust You.”
- Thank God even for closed doors.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks.”
You do not thank God because it feels good. You thank Him because He is good.
- Prepare for the next door.
When one door closes, use the time to grow.
• Grow in prayer.
• Grow in skill.
• Grow in character.
• Grow in patience.
David was anointed king, but he waited many years. Some doors closed in his life. He used the waiting time to prepare.
When the right door opened, he was ready.
Eighth, remember this truth.
Some doors God closes will never open again.
Lot’s wife looked back. The past became her prison.
Do not live in yesterday.
Some doors God closes will open later.
Peter denied the Lord. The door of trust looked closed. But it opened again. Peter became a strong leader.
John 21 shows how he was restored.
Some doors God closes were never meant for you.
You wanted them. God refused them.
Later you will thank Him.
Ninth, the greatest door God opens and closes.
The Bible speaks about a door of mercy and a door of judgment.
In Noah’s time, the door closed. Judgment came.
Today, the door of mercy is open.
2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “Now is the accepted time. Now is the day of salvation.”
One day, that door will close.
Do not wait.
Come to God today. Walk with Him today. Serve Him today.
When God shuts that final door, no prayer will change it.
Choose life now.
Tenth, a word of comfort.
If God has shut a door in your life, you are not forgotten.
Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”
Closed doors do not mean God has left you.
They mean God is guiding you in another way.
Trust Him.
Let us end with this simple truth.
• God shuts doors to protect you.
• God shuts doors to direct you.
• God shuts doors to prepare you.
• God shuts doors because He is Lord.
Do not fear closed doors.
Fear only walking without God.