DOORS OF MERCY

When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord… – Acts 12:10a

Welcome to the DOORS of MERCY? Doors are quite common; they’re what both the rich and the poor have in homes irrespective of the quality. The door is the rightful entry into a house compared to the window. The door admits one in or exits one out of a space; it separates the inner and the outer worlds. Fundamentally, the Door of Mercy is the Door into Salvation, which leads a soul not just into the Church but into the mystery of God’s Love and Mercy. This door is not opened for us to go out of Mercy but to come into Mercy. It is an invitation to dwell in Christ – the Most Merciful. It is a call to experience and share the Mercy of God. Christ Himself is the Door through Whom we access the Love of the Father and the Communion of the Holy Spirit: “Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep” (Jh.10:7).

Having come to God through the Number One Door of Mercy – His Son, Jesus Christ – we have opportunities to access unlimited Doors of Mercy all through life. However, these doors open to two sets of people: those who humbly Cry for Mercy, and those who heed the Call of Mercy – the call to be merciful – to practice the charity of the heart and the charity of the hand! Kindly revisit Capstone Capsule of the 4^th March for our meditation on the Cry for Mercy.

The Door of Mercy opened for Peter in response to the cry of God’s spiritually desperate people: “Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church to God for him” (v.5). His was a Miraculous Rescue! Peter was going through his ‘midnight hour’ in which he needed God's Mercy. This is the time when things are the darkest; when one is virtually bound and blinded by negative situations. Only a miracle could bring the urgent relief so desperately desired. Do you currently trust God for a miraculous rescue? No matter what you may be going through; however hell may be breaking loose around you, God has a provision to rescue you. His Mercy will make a way for your miraculous release. You are never abandoned or forgotten!

For Peter, the iron gate opened of its own accord! When the Lord of Mercy miraculously rescues, He does it thoroughly. He will break down barriers, tear down walls, destroy obstacles – and it all can happen suddenly. Think about how many doors God has opened wide for you in the past that you didn't have to push or struggle with the knob. The door just flung open, and you walked right through it – that’s Mercy! Beloved, you should see yourself walking through an open door right now – a door that God has flung wide open for you as He miraculously rescues you! See Him clearing the way for you where there seemed to be none. See God creating opportunities for you in all dimensions of destiny. Your miracle will happen suddenly, if you believe and call on His Mercy!

There is another remarkable aspect of this story. After Peter praised God, he went to the house where the saints had gathered and were praying for his release. He knocked at the door, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to the door, enquiring who was there. Rhoda “knew Peter’s voice” but was so excited she didn’t let him into the house immediately. Instead, she ran back to the others who were still praying for his deliverance, saying “Peter is at the door!” Yet the church folks who love to pray but failed to believe, said, “You must be mad! Peter couldn't be at the door. It must be an angel!” and they kept praying. But, “Peter continued to knock”! Beloved, ‘The answer is at the door!’ The miracle you have been praying and trusting God for is at the door! Embrace it!