Our Daily Bread Devotional For February 21, 2024 ODB Message
Read Our Daily Bread Devotional for February 21, 2024 Wednesday ODB Message written by Patricia Raybon and Today’s Insight By Tim Gustafson
TOPIC: God’s Open Doors
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 1–3; Mark 3
KEY VERSE: I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. – Revelation 3:8
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Revelation 3:7–11
7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
OUR DAILY BREAD 21ST FEBRUARY 2024, WEDNESDAY INSIGHT:
In Revelation 2-3, Christ is the speaker in the seven letters to the churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The letter to Philadelphia is the sixth letter and the second to refer to the “synagogue of Satan” (3:9). The first instance occurs in the letter to Smyrna (modern Izmir) (2:9). Both usages define this “synagogue” as those “who say they are Jews and are not” (v. 9). What does this mean?
These are Jews who opposed the first-century believers in Jesus and who claimed that the kingdom of God belonged exclusively to Israel. However, the apostle Paul wrote, “God does not show favoritism [between Jew and Gentile]” (Romans 2:11). He explained, “A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly [that is, by keeping the law] . . . . No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; . . . [marked] by the Spirit, not by the written code” (vv. 28-29).
Our Daily Bread Devotional For February 21, 2024 MESSAGE
At my new school near a large city, the guidance counselor took one look at me and placed me in the lowest performing English composition class. I’d arrived from my inner-city school with outstanding test scores, excellent grades, and even a principal’s award for my writing. The door to the “best” writing class in my new school was closed to me, however, when the counselor decided I wasn’t right or ready.
The church in ancient Philadelphia would’ve understood such arbitrary setbacks. A small and humble church, its city had suffered earthquakes in recent years that left lasting damage. Additionally, they faced satanic opposition (Revelation 3:9). Such a disregarded church had “little strength, yet,” as the risen Jesus noted, “you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (v. 8). Therefore, God placed before them “an open door that no one can shut” (v. 8). Indeed, “what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (v. 7).
That’s true for our ministry efforts. Some doors don’t open. With my writing for God, however, He has indeed opened doors, allowing it to reach a global audience, regardless of one counselor’s closed attitudes. Closed doors won’t hinder you either. “I am the door,” Jesus said (John 10:9 kjv). Let’s enter the doors He opens and follow Him.
REFLECT: What doors has God opened for you? How does your ministry and life flourish when you wait for His openings?
PRAY: When doors close to me, dear God, may I turn to You, the Holy Door, and walk where and how You say to go.
Our Daily Bread 21st February 2024 Devotional, Wednesday ODB Message. Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet.