WHEN HEAVENS REMAIN SHUT

Title: WHEN HEAVENS REMAIN SHUT

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Deuteronomy 28:23
"And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron."

Supporting Texts: Isaiah 59:1-2, Haggai 1:6-10, Malachi 3:8-10, 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

INTRODUCTION:
When the heavens remain shut, life becomes difficult, and prayers seem unanswered. A shut heaven signifies a spiritual blockage preventing blessings, breakthroughs, and divine interventions. This message explores the causes of closed heavens, their effects, and how to reopen them for divine favour and blessings.

1. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR HEAVENS TO BE SHUT?

a) Lack of Divine Presence:
Shut heavens signify a disconnection from God’s presence (1 Samuel 28:6).

b) Absence of Rain or Blessings:
When the heavens are closed, there is no outpouring of blessings (Haggai 1:9-11).

c) Spiritual Stagnation:
Closed heavens lead to delayed breakthroughs and unanswered prayers (Daniel 10:12-13).

d) Difficulty in Hearing from God:
A shut heaven makes divine communication challenging (Lamentations 3:8).

e) Biblical Example:
During the drought in Elijah’s time, the heavens were shut for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1).

2. CAUSES OF SHUT HEAVENS

a) Sin and Disobedience:
Sin creates a barrier between man and God, closing the heavens (Isaiah 59:1-2).

b) Lack of Faith and Doubt:
Faithlessness hinders the flow of divine blessings (Hebrews 11:6).

c) Ingratitude:
Failure to thank God for past blessings can close the heavens (Luke 17:17-18).

d) Robbing God in Tithes and Offerings:
Disobedience in giving shuts the heavens (Malachi 3:8-10).

e) Biblical Example:
The Israelites’ rebellion in the wilderness caused closed heavens and delayed blessings (Numbers 14:22-23).

3. EFFECTS OF SHUT HEAVENS

a) Financial Hardship:
Shut heavens result in unproductive labour and financial struggles (Haggai 1:6).

b) Spiritual Dryness:
A closed heaven leads to a lack of spiritual growth and vitality (Amos 8:11).

c) Delayed Breakthroughs:
Progress becomes hindered, and breakthroughs are delayed (Daniel 10:12-13).

d) Frustration and Discouragement:
A prolonged period of closed heavens can lead to despair (Psalm 13:1-2).

e) Biblical Example:
The famine in Samaria due to shut heavens led to extreme hardship (2 Kings 6:25).

4. HOW TO REOPEN SHUT HEAVENS

a) Genuine Repentance:
Confessing and forsaking sins restores access to God (2 Chronicles 7:14).

b) A Life of Obedience:
Walking in obedience to God’s Word reopens the heavens (Deuteronomy 28:1-2).

c) Fervent and Persistent Prayer:
Persistent prayer can break through spiritual barriers (James 5:16-18).

d) Faith and Thanksgiving:
Faith-filled prayers and gratitude attract open heavens (Philippians 4:6-7).

e) Biblical Example:
Elijah’s fervent prayers reopened the heavens for rain (1 Kings 18:41-45).

5. KEYS TO MAINTAINING OPEN HEAVENS

a) Holiness and Righteousness:
A holy life keeps the heavens open (Psalm 24:3-4).

b) Consistent Prayer Life:
Regular communion with God ensures uninterrupted blessings (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

c) Generosity in Giving:
Faithful tithing and offerings sustain open heavens (Malachi 3:10).

d) Gratitude and Worship:
A thankful heart maintains divine favour (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

e) Biblical Example:
Cornelius’ consistent prayer and giving kept his heavens open (Acts 10:1-4).

CONCLUSION:
When the heavens remain shut, life becomes a struggle, and blessings are withheld. However, through repentance, obedience, fervent prayer, and thanksgiving, the heavens can be reopened. Let us commit to a lifestyle that ensures the heavens remain perpetually open over us.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, I repent of any sin that has shut the heavens over my life.

2. Father, open the heavens and pour out Your blessings upon me.

3. Lord, deliver me from spiritual dryness and stagnation.

4. Father, restore every lost blessing caused by closed heavens.

5. Lord, help me to live a life of obedience and righteousness.

6. Father, let every hindrance to my prayers be removed.

7. Lord, I receive the grace for a consistent prayer life.

8. Father, open the heavens over my family and ministry.

9. Lord, I rebuke every devourer stealing my blessings.

10. Father, let my life be a testimony of open heavens.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:

1. I declare that every closed heaven over your life is opened now.

2. From today, your prayers will break every spiritual barrier.

3. You will experience divine rain of blessings and favour.

4. Every hindrance to your breakthroughs is removed in Jesus' name.

5. The Lord will restore everything the enemy has stolen from you.

6. Your life will attract divine encounters and blessings.

7. The heavens over your family and ministry will remain perpetually open.

8. Every form of spiritual dryness in your life is over.

9. Your labour will yield abundant fruit from now on.

10. You will walk under open heavens all the days of your life!