Psalm 119:25-32 | ד Daleth

Opportunities and transition

When one door closes, another door opens.

Think of a closed door that led you to a greater opportunity, then think of an open door that didn’t fully meet your expectation. One brought hope, clarity, and motivation, while the other uneasiness, confusion, and discouragement.

In the next few minutes, I’m going to reveal what Psalm 119:25-32 says about the doors in our life. The Hebrew letter for this section is Daleth, which means door. Many Hebrew scholars define it this way, and based on the hieroglyph of the letter, it also looks like a door (or gate).

Doors symbolize opportunities and transitions in our life. They shape our perspective and influence our lifestyle and daily choices. The way we see things results from where we came from. We can’t change our past or certain present circumstances, but we can change our perspective as we open and close doors through this life.

Psalms 119:25-32 shows us that:

• Our lowest points in life often lead to the greatest doors, or opportunities.
• The time after a door closes and before another opens is the process. It’s vital to our personal growth.
• Without death, there isn’t life.
• Walking through an open door doesn’t mean you’ve arrived. It means you’ve only begun.

My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. Psalm 119:25.

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” ― Pablo Picasso

Like this psalmist, we all experience highs and lows in life. We can almost instantly recall situations where our souls seemed to have cleaved to the dust. You’ve felt the pain, sorrow, and depression. You’ve been in the dust. Yet, you got up and brushed it off your shoulders and found revival. Often, our lowest points in life lead to the greatest opportunities. Being in the dust shuts the door of the past and leads us through the door of revival.

Jesus cried out to God before being buried in the tomb and literally cleaving to the dust. Filled with so much anguish and sweating blood, His cry to God involved the very purpose of His existence. Yet, He submitted, not My will, but Yours, be done. Three days later, revival walked out of the grave. Jesus walked through a door that seemed to be the worst one ever and marched out of another that brought revival to all. God’s word brings understanding of His will! As we close the doors and face the dust, this is the time to prepare for what’s next. Because God revives and resurrects, according to His word.

I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes. Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders. Psalm 119:26-27.

You can’t knock on opportunity’s door and not be ready. ― Bruno Mars

Imagine teleporting right now to the place you’ve always wanted to go, wearing your current clothes, and bringing only what’s in your pockets. In my case, I’d show up at Ipanema Beach, Brazil, wearing cozy clothes, slipper socks and my blanket. There are doors you may want opened in your life, now. You feel ready to arrive, but then realize your suitcase is empty. In the same way, we wish for certain opportunities or for that thing to finally happen, without doing our best to prepare for it.

It’s important to tell of your ways and to hear from God, to write your dreams and see how they align in this season. When you cultivate and steward your current season, you mature and grow for your next season. The psalmist expresses his willingness to go through the process, to learn and prepare, and to understand God’s perspective. Then, he meditates on His wonders and on the lessons as he “gets ready” for the next door to open. The process is vital for our personal growth.

My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word. Remove the false way from me, and graciously grant me Your law. I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me. Psalm 119:28-30.

Often, we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. ― Helen Keller

Another moment of grief in Jesus’ life was when Lazarus died. He tarried a few days before coming to Mary and Martha, and when He did, He wept. But He didn’t stop in His grief. He placed God’s will in front of Him and chose the faithful way. Lazarus’ death brought Jesus to raise him and many others back to life! (John 11:35-45)

For some of us, it’s hard to let go of things and people. We experience both short- and long-term grief. Sometimes, the grief doesn’t completely leave and fogs our purpose, our dreams and even the willpower to push forward. But even in our grief, we can get strengthened according to God’s word and choose the faithful way, which gives us discernment to walk through the door of transition. Without diminishing the pain of grief and loss, it’s important to understand that without death, there isn’t life.

I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame! I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart. Psalm 119:31-32.

If you quit on the process, you’re quitting the result. ― Idowu Koyenikan

When you walk through an open door, the journey doesn’t stop. There’s still much to learn and experience until you close and open more doors. In these last verses, the psalmist declares promises to God that we can take into our opportunities. These statements can shift our perspective on what the process is. If you feel you’ve arrived, you’re missing the point!

Open doors often lead to the unknown. Instead of getting caught up with what you don’t know, stick to what you do know, but don’t get trapped there (vs. 31). Keep your heart and mind open to learn more, and God will enlarge your heart for greater adventures and opportunities (vs 32). Walking through an open door doesn’t mean you’ve arrived. It means you’ve only begun.