Words of Hope Daily Devotional

The Words of Hope Devotional is a non-profit, donor-supported publication whose goal is to encourage readers to grow in faith through the practice of daily Bible reading and prayer. The devotional is available in your email and in print.

Jesus Knocks

Read: Revelation 3:14-22

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. (v. 20)

I am a planner. I like to control things. I also confess that I often try to control others. If you are like me, giving up control is hard. But this is difficult when we are addicted to control. When we give up control, that’s called surrender. We are called to surrender to Jesus and let him have control of our lives.

In our text today, John received a revelation for the church in Laodicea. The risen Jesus found the church’s faith repugnant. They had become blind in their faith, and their deeds were like lukewarm water—neither refreshing as cold water nor as healing as hot water—only fit to be spit out (v.16). However, in love, Jesus invited them to repent saying: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock” (v. 20). He invited them to open the door and restore their relationship with him.

We have that same option. Will we open the door, invite Jesus in, and give him control of our lives? As one artist depicted the scene, there is only one doorknob, and it is on the inside. Jesus has the power to blow the door open. But instead, he comes in love as he knocks and waits for our response. Are you willing to open that door and surrender your fears, sins, pain, and shame to Jesus? He loves you. He is knocking. Open the door, give him control, and allow Jesus, our Living Water to refresh and restore you.

As you pray, surrender all to Jesus.

About the Author

Nancy Boote

Nancy Boote, an ordained minister in the Reformed Church of America, lives in Holland, Michigan, with her husband. Besides being a mother, a grandmother, a song writer, and lover of horses, Nancy also has a heart for prayer and seeing racism dismantled.

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