A prayer for when God closes a door, by Betsy DeCruz, read by Liam Martin.

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and he delights in his way.

When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the one who holds his hand.

Psalm 37, 23 through 24.

If God didn't shut any doors, how would we know which ones to go through?

My friend challenged me with this question during a hard season, when our family was processing

disappointment.

My high school senior received a rejection letter from his dream university, and months

of hard work, extra tests, essays, and an interview all went down the drain together

with his hopes.

We usually think of God guiding our path by opening doors for us, but in reality, he also

shuts them.

When we don't get the job, our child doesn't make the team, or the deal on the new house

falls through, our disappointment can leave us feeling discouraged.

So today's verse reminds us that in Christ, we can trust God to order and establish our

steps.

However, sometimes he also allows roadblocks on our path.

In the margin of his Bible, next to Psalm 37, 23, the steps of a man are established by

the Lord.

19th century evangelist George Mueller made this note, and the stops also.

If you're going through a season of obstacles, setbacks and closed doors, remember that both

your steps and your stops are ordered by God.

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