Cindy Matson, writing at biblestudynerd.home.blog, shared this as part of her post, “God Said No. What Now?”
When I was in Bible college, every Monday in chapel would bring a round of “Works of God Testimonies,” when our president would encourage students and faculty to share brief, specific, God-glorifying testimonies of how we’d seen prayers answered in the recent past. Over four years, I heard testimonies of debts repaid, hard hearts softened, bodies healed, and relationships restored.
These times, while encouraging, could sometimes leave me wondering, “What about me? How come other people see God acting in such mighty ways? Why do my prayers for ‘mighty things’ so often go unanswered?”
Of course, these questions say much more about me than they do about God. He certainly doesn’t “play favorites” with those He chooses to bless in miraculous ways; and He doesn’t answer prayers because a believer has found some sort of “secret sauce” in prayer. Sometimes God works in mysterious, rather than miraculous, ways by saying “no” to his children.
But what are we supposed to do when He does?
A Surprising and Tragic No
Scripture, not surprisingly, is full of many “no” answers from God:
· Moses asked that God allow him to enter the Promised Land. God said no.
· David asked that his illegitimate child be spared. God said no.
· Elijah asked that God take his life. God said no.
· Paul prayed that the thorn in his flesh be taken from him. God said no.
· Jesus Himself asked that the Father let the cup of His wrath pass. God said no.
The Lord is a gracious, generous Heavenly Father who knows what we need even before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8). We have the incredible privilege of entering into His throne room to worship Him, to declare His absolute majesty and supremacy, and to present our needs and requests to Him. Ask in faith with thanksgiving and get ready to receive a miracle.
But what if His answer to our desperate request is ‘No!’ instead of ‘Yes!’? How do we deal with that? Do we get upset with Him? Do we falter in faith and turn away from Him?
The Father is generous in blessing us with provision, guidance and direction, His presence, His Holy Spirit and everything else we need. But He has a Higher Purpose for our lives and sometimes our request might interrupt or distract us from His perfect work in our lives. Let’s put all our trust in Him and continue to keep our eyes on Him.
This Sunday, March 16, we will begin a new teaching series, “God Works the Night Shift!” This week let’s consider what happens “When God Says ‘No!’” How do you respond when the Lord does not answer your prayers in the way you think He should? Please invite someone to join you in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations and would love to have you join us.
Bible classes for all ages take place every Sunday morning at 9:30am and we would love to have you join us. There are two classes for children, one for youth, and one for Adults (current study: The 12 Disciples). Let’s study the Word together this Sunday!
Mahalo nui loa (Thank you very much) for your faithfulness each time we gather together. It means a lot! If you haven’t been able to join us from the very beginning of the service (10:35am), I invite you to do so this Sunday. Every part of the service is valuable and so is our time together.
Aloha ke Akua!
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