"And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you." (John 20:26)

The disciples were locked up in a room. Eight days the doors were shut. Their faith was being tried. They wondered why things happened the way they did, recounting the incredible miracle of His death and resurrection. Then, suddenly, as if from no where, He appeared to them. No door opened. No window opened. Yet, He was in their midst!

How many times have you been in the midst of circumstances which seemed confusing? You knew the Lord heard your cries, you knew He answered prayer, yet you felt so far from Him. But then, in the midst of "closed doors", in the privacy of your "prayer closet", you suddenly realized you were there in His presence. He opened no door. He threw open no widow. He just appeared. And, suddenly, the peace that testified of His awesome presence flooded your heart, mind, and soul. You knew without a doubt that He was near, that He cared, and that everything was going to be alright.

Each encounter with the living God is one that leaves an imprint through answered prayer and increased faith. His presence is where confusion cannot remain, where doubt and unbelief are dispelled, and where faith is nurtured and cultivated. But, why is it that we resist the drawing of His Spirit? Why do we continually attempt to work things out on our own? Why do we busy ourselves with fretfulness and frenzied worry rather than scheduling time in our prayer closet to meet with the One who holds the key to our victory?

Why not schedule some time there today and every day! And, when you need to meet with Him, when you're desperate for answers, you'll find everything you need "behind the closed doors" of your prayer closet!

Lord, I long to meet with You, to fellowship with You. I long to know You more and more every day. Although my schedule is busy, Father, help me set aside time each day to meet with you "behind closed doors" for it is there that all my doubts will be dispelled as Your presence is made manifest in the midst of my circumstances! Amen and Amen!

"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:6)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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