“… ‘Send him back to the town you’ve given him!’ they demanded. ‘He can’t go into the battle with us. What if he turns against us in battle and becomes our adversary?…’” 1 Samuel 29:4 (NLT)

I had just gotten married, moved across town and was in search of a new job closer to our new apartment. I made some calls and sent out my resume. After some time, I received a call back from a district manager. He was upbeat, and we seemed to connect.

“Could you meet me at our newest store?” He gave me the address. “It’s about to open, and I think it would be a good fit for you.”

He didn’t have to ask me twice. “Yes, sir, I’ll be there!”

I parked my car and said a prayer, but as I was walking up to the store, I heard someone call my name. I recognized that upbeat voice. “Hey, I’m so sorry. An emergency came up and I am going to have to reschedule our meeting. I will call you soon.”

I understood. Stuff happens. Things come up, I told myself. But I had a strange feeling … God was up to something.

In the days and weeks to follow, I never heard back from that company … and as strange as it was, I never felt compelled to follow up.

But after some time, I did hear back from a different company. This district manager asked that I go and meet a man by the name of Kent. “If everything works out, he will be your local manager.”

That evening my husband and I met Kent. After a few minutes of small talk, my husband and I knew this was it.

Closed doors aren’t always a bad thing.

In 1 Samuel 29, David was on the run from King Saul. He was tired and worn out and found a safe haven in an unlikely place, amid the ungodly Philistines — long-time enemies of David’s people, the Israelites.

During David’s stay in enemy territory, Achish (a Philistine king) grew to trust and rely upon David. In fact, Achish was so pleased with David, he wanted David to serve in his army. But the Philistine commanders knew of David’s great reputation as a leader in the Israelite army, so they resisted.

“… ‘Send him back to the town you’ve given him!’ they demanded. ‘He can’t go into the battle with us. What if he turns against us in battle and becomes our adversary? …’” (1 Samuel 29:4)

As strange as it was, the great warrior, David, experienced rejection for a role he was overqualified for. But God was up to something.

Later, in 2 Samuel, Saul died and David was appointed king over Israel.

Imagine if God hadn’t closed that door and David had fought alongside the Philistines.

Would the Israelites have been able to fully trust David as their king?
What would have become of David?
Would we still have his psalms?
Would the Philistines have benefited from David's leadership had they not rejected him?

God’s sovereign hand was clearly at work in the life of David. I believe it’s the same for you and me.

Sometimes, God sets up divine appointments or divine events to cancel our current appointments. I used to worry and wonder, God, what if I choose the wrong path? Now I know: The Creator of the universe is the Creator of me, so if I go down the wrong path, God is more than able to reroute me and set me on the right one.

Friends, I met Kent in December of 1999. Over 20 years and two companies later, Kent is still my manager.

This doesn’t mean every closed door in my life or yours will directly result in a better opportunity — but we can always trust God’s plan. Maybe you’re in a season in which more doors seem to be closing for you than opening. Give it time. I believe you will look back one day and see God’s divine hand in your situation as well.

As we submit our plans to Him, I pray we learn to trust that our heavenly Father is always at work in our lives … in the confusion, in the strange cancellations and even in the closed doors.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for the doors You have closed in my life … doors I begged You to open but, in Your mercy, You so graciously closed. Please lead me and guide me. Please continue to open the right doors for me, and close the doors I am not meant to walk through. I trust You to do what is best for me and for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

Psalm 37:23-24, “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.” (NLT)

How has a closed door in your life proven to be a blessing? We’d love to hear about it! Share with us in the comments.

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