“I know thy works, behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Revelation 3:7-11).

I desire that the Lord should have confidence in me that if he asks me to follow him that I will do whatever he asks willingly and without complaint. When I can be trusted to do the will of God in the small things, he can have confidence in me and give me “an open door that no man can shut.” Before you can be a leader, you must become a humble servant. Even Jesus washed feet. There have been times when I have prayed for something that didn’t turn out at all like I had planned; but thankfully, the Lord already knew the plans that he had for me, and if it meant that some things had to change in my life, for those doors to open, so be it. Yes, no man can shut the door that God opens.

The Lord tells us “for thou hast a little strength”. He didn’t say that we were destitute and without strength, we have sufficient strength—not an abundance, maybe, by the way that we measure (If we had excess we’d probably waste it on frivolous things) but “a little strength.” It is enough strength to hold on to our relationship with God and go another step towards our destination.

When we continue to do the will of God in spite of our circumstances, it gets God’s attention, and even though we may only have a little strength, he reminds us that we have “kept the word.” Keeping the word requires a great deal of strength and determination. While Satan tries to rob us; the world and the cares of this life surround us; and the light of the gospel is being choked out of us; the Lord promises to “set before us an open door” one that compels us to come in and experience the opportunities and the blessings that he has prepared for us.

We are commended when he tells us that “thou hast not denied my name”. How many times people have denied the name of Jesus, the only name that will save us? They, in essence, are denying the only way of escape that is opened to them choosing rather to fumble through life alone.

When trials come we have many opportunities to deny the name. We could betray Jesus (and some do) like Judas Iscariot. While we may not require 30 pieces of silver we could sell out for much less: sports, drugs, prestige, vanity, worldly pleasures, position, fame, peer pressure, or acceptance by our so called friends. The riches of this life will melt with fervent heat, and we’ll all face God on Judgment Day to give an account of our lives.

Who can stand on that day? Those who have been found faithful who have kept the word and who have not denied the name. Our covenant is eternal and the benefits of that covenant can’t be bought, because they were already paid in full at Calvary. Our circumstances may look impossible because we only see the now, but keep holding on to God’s promise and in “yet a little while, it shall come to pass.”

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