Most of us don’t’ want to hear a no, especially if it’s something that we really wanted or was for a good cause. Yet, could you imagine if God said yes to everyone’s request? When God has said no to your heartfelt plans what was your response?
We so desperately want our reasoning to be God’s reasoning. When God says no some are tempted to wonder if God loves them. In reality it’s because he loves us he sometimes says no.
When God says no we can experience contentment by understanding and responding in two ways
Realize God has a better way!
On the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey, the Spirit forbade Paul to speak in the province of Asia and kept them out of Bithynia near the Black Sea and led them directly to Troas, on the coast of the Aegean Sea. While in Troas, Paul received a vision of a man in Macedonia (in northern Greece) asking Paul to come and help them. This change of course became an open door for the gospel to Europe.
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Our lives can a take a turn we didn’t expect or plan on. The lord has said NO for some unknown reason, but he does have a better way. Fretting over that from which we have been removed or which has been taken away from us, will not make things better, but it will prevent us from improving those which remain.
Respond with acceptance and humility
After tragically losing everything dear to him, Job fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” Job 1:20 -22
When God has said no to you, you are in good company. Over the millennia God said no to King David, the Apostle Paul and countless others because He had a better way that they were not able to see. God’s answers are never wrong, although they may be surprising.
Sometimes He says no and other times he says yes, but in either case His answer is always the best! Even though David was kept from building the temple God promised Him that his son Solomon would construct and finish the temple and from his lineage would be a kingdom that would have no end. From the tribe of David inevitably came the promised Messiah.
He has a promise for you too! “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” When you know Him one day you’ll hear Him graciously say to you, “Welcome home, I’ve been waiting for you.” May we look forward to that day!
