"Many people are not facing a storm in the physical sense, but a mental or emotional storm in their lives. They are not sure where they will find safety. They do not have an understanding of what to do or where to go." Kathy Spampinato

This week I feel very blessed that we came through a hurricane unscathed. Our neighborhood did not sustain any damage in this storm. One odd thing we’re dealing with, is that the fobs that give you entrance to the amenities are not working. We no longer have access to the gym, pool, or clubhouse. This is only a minor inconvenience, but is perhaps the reason I woke this morning thinking of keys and doors. My mind was soon flooded with scripture about having access.

 My heart goes out to those whose lives are now in turmoil, and I do not want to trivialize their pain. Many people lost everything they had: their homes are not livable. They need to go through a long process of evaluation, inspection, cleaning out, tearing down, mitigation, and construction. They are weary, though they have hardly begun the process to rebuild their lives, and they do not know how long it will take. They are facing a trial and do not know where the resources will come from. Their faith and their hope are being challenged. I am praying for them, and my husband is volunteering on a work crew to bring help in their time of need. Our church is offering support, supplies, labor, prayer, and comfort.

Many people are not facing a storm in the physical sense, but a mental or emotional storm in their lives. They are not sure where they will find safety. They do not have an understanding of what to do or where to go. They are unsure of who to trust and who is willing to travel this road with them. They do not have the keys they need to negotiate their situation. In some ways, it is similar to the process of those who have been through the hurricane that wreaked havoc and left destruction in its wake.

 Revelation 3:20 ESV says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

In this scripture it is God who is knocking on the door of our hearts. The Almighty God of the universe is politely knocking. He does not barge in. He is standing and waiting for access. It is our free will that chooses to open the door, or refuse Him entry. He wants to rescue and redeem, but we must open the door. It is interesting that we first have to hear His voice. We can block out His voice and not even be aware of His presence, or we can have an ear that is listening and aware. If we choose to open the door, God will enter and visit. He will sit with us and we will share a meal together. This is not a God who comes in to give orders and establish command, though He could. It is a dinner party where God chooses to spend some time with us, have fellowship, and show us His love, so we begin to build a relationship of trust.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and grace to help in time of need.”

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

 God is providing mercy and grace. Let’s draw near with confidence. He will provide all of our needs because of His great love. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus asks his disciples who people think He is, and who do they say He is.

Matthew 16:16,19-20 “Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’”. To this Jesus replied, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.”

 We have been given keys of immense authority as Jesus’ disciples. We might be several thousand years behind the original disciples, but if we are followers and know Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God, we also have keys to the kingdom of heaven. We have been given God’s Spirit, the name of Jesus, and access to the throne of grace. We have the ability to carry His presence with us, and loose His love to others. We have the authority to speak His word and see things change by the power of God. Listen to the words of Jesus.

John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.”

 It is still our choice whether to listen for His voice and believe, or to remain in ignorance and try to figure things out on our own. God has provided wisdom and understanding in His Word. It even describes the purpose and provision of the proverbs.

Proverbs 1:2-7 “To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth- Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

 It is the fool who turns away from the Words of God and goes their own way. God is reaching out with wisdom, understanding, instruction and guidance. You have been given access to the keys of the kingdom and the authority to use them. Seek God today for the relationship He is calling you to. You can walk in strength, wisdom and authority in Him. He is still standing at the door of your heart. Invite Him to speak to you today, and have ears to listen and hear His voice.

Isaiah 43:19 "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."