QUESTION OF THE WEEK- Why does The Holy Spirit shut doors?

by the late Dr. Sumner Wemp
 

 

"But rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings" 1 Peter 4:13.

 

"They assayed to go into Bithynia but the Spirit suffered them not", did not allow them to go. He shut the door. It does not say how this was done. I am sure the Holy Spirit suffered Celeste and me not to go to Brazil 57 years ago. We got married and in less than six months all of our support came in to go to the jungles in Brazil as missionaries and do pioneer work among the savage Indians six hundred miles from the nearest town. It was staggering the way God did it. We and the mission board were overwhelmed. It usually takes two to five years to raise one's support. Just as dramatically, God shut the door and we never went to Brazil. It was many years later before we came to know why God closed the door. Had a son with epilepsy Indians kill

 

Behind the scenes 

The Holy Spirit opens and shuts doors. It is vital and relieving to realize this. If we are "walking in the Spirit" and praying and trusting the Holy Spirit to lead us (Romans 8:14), when the door is shut, we can have peace and not doubt God. We must walk by faith and trust God when He may not tell us why! We must pray like Jesus did, "Not my will but thine be done" Luke 22:42. 

 

Sometimes, here is why. 

Paul had a "thorn in the flesh" 1 Corinthians 12:7. He never told just what it was. "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me." God never took it away but told him, "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is perfect in weakness 2 Corinthians 12:9." You and I must know that His grace is sufficient for us when we have a '"Thorn in the flesh" or any problem or any prayer we do not see answered. 

 

Our response 

Then we must respond like Paul and say sincerely, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" 1 Corinthians 12:7-10. What a way to live, Paul said, "I take pleasure in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Oh that we all had such a passion for the "power of Christ to be upon us and our ministry" so that the dear Lord Jesus would be glorified. Amen?

 

What are your infirmities 

What has He "suffered you not" to do nor get? He shut the door. He did not answer that prayer when and the way you wanted. He did not take away that infirmity and you have agonized and prayed for it for years. Don't be hurt, don't be angry, don't rebel, and don't get bitter. You can trust God. He knows all about it. He is the omniscient God. A sparrow does not fall to the ground but what God takes note of it - Matthew 10:29. Trust God that "all things work together for good to those who love Him" Romans 8:28 and "take pleasure in your infirmity" so God can use it in some wonderful ways to His glory.

 

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another. 1 Peter 4:10.