1 Corinthians 16:9 “For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”
Typically, when we consider God opening a door, adversaries are not among the first thing that we think about. I mean, if it read, “A wide door for effective work has opened to me, and when God opens it all goes smoothly”, that would make more sense. But we just read the verse and of course, it doesn’t say that.
Several years ago, my wife and I were coming out of a confusing season of ministry. We were in a very unhealthy situation and it seemed as if we had no way out or way forward. I was in a place of sorrow and had begun to doubt if I was even called into ministry. I mean if God called me into ministry and opened doors, should things be going well?
Wrong. I had a false belief that if God opens the door, then there would not be any adversaries. I don’t know where I picked up this false assumption, but I did.
In God’s providence, he actually removed me and my family from that unhealthy situation and had opened a wide new door of effective work for us to step into. I love how Paul put it: “A wide door,” not just a “Door” but a “Wide” door. This is what God often does, he answers prayers, clarifies direction, clears the way, kicks the door open, kicks you through the door, provides miraculously, and then it is smooth sailing from there! Wait…………
Here is what we have learned: God has opened the door very wide for us.
God used us to plant a church. He has provided people, resources, facilities and everything else we need. And there are going to be many adversaries.
This is how God works. He leads us into dangerous callings filled with incredible victories, wonderful church family, satanic attacks, and many adversaries. There may be lies about why you left the previous church. There may be slander. There will be many adversaries. This is all a part of that effective work. God leads us by opening doors and then he grows us through adversity.
Friends, if you want God to open that door be prepared for many adversaries. Secure in His grip and His love, he will let adversaries come. Stand firm. Press on. He had you!