“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name’ ” (Revelation 3:7-8).
To the church at Philadelphia, Jesus introduces Himself as the one who holds the keys. And the one who holds the keys is the one who has the power to open doors and the power to close doors. Jesus is and has the power.
In contrast, the church at Philadelphia has “little power”. This probably refers to little power as the world measures power. But what power they do have has been used to “keep His word”. They have stood firm in times of persecution.
We are familiar with the power promised us by Jesus even when our faith is as small as a mustard seed. This is a similar picture. It is as if Jesus is saying, “Your power is small. But I am stepping in. There is a door in front of you that you do not have the power to open. But I have the keys and the power. And I am giving my power to you by opening a door for you that no one can shut. My power will become your power.”
This passage is so encouraging. How many of us feel like we have little power in the world’s eyes? How many of us feel unqualified in the world’s eyes? The world’s opinion means NOTHING when we are infused with the power of God in us.
Let me take this right down to a personal level. What door is in front of you? What door is God asking you to go through? Are you stymied … sidelined … stopped by worry that you do not possess the power to march through the door? God is marching ahead of you. The door will open and shut based on God’s power and God’s timing, not on our power and self-effort to force it open. Jesus, possessor of the keys, is in charge of it’s opening and closing.
Pray for God’s guidance about the door ahead of you. Follow His leading. He goes before you. He will open a door that no man can shut. The keys and the power are in His hand.