Monday, January 7, 2013

No.

Sometimes God says no.  It has been a bit discouraging because He seems to have said no to a few of my requests lately, but this morning I looked to His Word to see what the appropriate response is to Him when he says no. 

One example of God saying no is in 2 Samuel 7.  King David looks at his fancy cedar house and remembers that the ark of God is in a tent.  His plan is to make a great temple for God.  The prophet Nathan even thinks this is a pretty good plan.  But then God tells David, through Nathan, that David will not be the one to build the temple.  Was it because it was a bad plan?  Nope.  In 1 Kings 8:18, we are told that the Lord told David "Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart."  God was pleased with David's heart.  His request was not a bad one, but the answer was still no.  Actually, God tells David that He will build a house for him.  He's not talking about the fancy cedar one.  He's talking about a descendant of David who will rule forever.  He's talking about Jesus.  David wanted to do something great for God, but God had something better in mind.  David responds with worship and amazement at God's goodness.

Sometimes God says no because there is something better he has in mind and even if I don't know what that is, I should respond with worship.

Another example is in 2 Corinthians 12.  Paul has had some pretty amazing experiences with God and so that he doesn't start bragging about them, he is given a "thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment".  I'm not exactly sure what the torment was that Paul experienced, but he asked God to take it away three times.  God said no.  Paul's request was also not a bad one, but God had a plan for Paul, too.  He told him "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."  Paul responds with contentment that the power of Christ is in him.

Sometimes God says no because He wants us to see His power in our weakness and even if the situation never changes, I should be content.

So instead of having a pity party and being discouraged, I will remind myself of His goodness, worship Him, and be content. 

1 comment:

  1. So well said, and so important to remember, but sometimes hard to except in the moment. I know. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete

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