The Key of David

It is tempting to imagine that all Christ-followers regularly and in nearly every situation experience miracles, healing, and provision, especially when we ask for these things in prayer as we have been instructed to do.

I have recently been arrested by a strange phrase only used twice in Scripture - the “Key of David”.  It first appears in Isaiah 22, referring to Eliakim, the steward of King Hezekiah, during a period just before and then during the Babylonian Exile, a period of harsh judgment of the people of God. Then, we see the phrase again in Revelation 3:7. Jesus refers to Himself as the one who holds this Key. In both passages, the ability is the same - the ability to open doors that no one else can shut, and to shut doors that no one else can open.

As much as we do see in Scripture those miraculous answers to prayer (open doors if you will) whether it is for military defeat (David and Goliath), a baby - finally! (Hannah, Elizabeth), or healing and even resurrection (Lazarus), there are as many times when the looked-for response never came. 

For example, when Jesus asked for the cup to pass from Him, the answer was no. Paul was prevented from going to Asia to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6).  

In my own life, I have recently lived through a two-year period of one closed door after another, deeply affecting me, my husband, and our kids. During the most recent instance of this, I fled to my journal and wrote these words:

“Close every door…if I know it is Your hand, then every closed door is life to me - because it has held Your touch. And I will press my face against it to feel the warmth still there and smell Your fragrance and say, ‘Thank you, Papa, for leading me.’”

The truth is, Jesus does have the authority to open and close every door. Therefore, our anger when the door is closed and not open, if directed at Him, is properly placed, right?

Two things can be true at the same time. I can be frustrated and angry and disappointed at the One who really could have opened those doors for me, AND, I can thank Him for His leadership in my life, through means that I don’t prefer, to lead me to green pastures and quiet streams.