And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

“Here’s the keys to the car.” These words are exhilarating to every teenager just getting their driver’s license. It meant control and freedom, but if you weren’t responsible, they were taken away. Keys give access. In the Bible, keys are symbolic of God’s complete authority and sovereignty. God is in control of everything.

Jesus encourages the believers in Philadelphia with the fact that he’s in charge of where they lived and what’s happening to them. Even though they might feel weak, weary, and worn out, they still have total access to God.  He has opened doors of opportunity for them that no one else could. He has given them the access to God by his shed blood on the cross and the resurrection power to keep his word and obey in their difficult circumstances. And through these, he has given them open doors to share the way of Jesus with others.

Jesus knows our works also, how we have kept his word and not denied his name. You can lament your weariness and circumstances to our compassionate Father God and loving Savior. But you also can rest in his complete sovereignty over the world and your life personally. Because of Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross, you have complete access to everything you need to live a transformed life (Philippians 4:19). He opens the doors for you to live in the way of Jesus and share the good news of Jesus with the heart of Jesus. Look at your past week and this week coming for the doors he has opened for you. We have great security knowing he holds the keys.

By Donna Burns  

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