Thoughts for Life: #15 When God Says "No"

Alvin Vandergriend- Someone has suggested that God answers prayer in the following five ways:

"Yes! I thought you would never ask."
"Yes! But not yet."
"No! I love you too much."
"Yes! But different from your thoughts."
"Yes! But more than you ever hoped or dreamed."

Let's look briefly at each one of these.

"Yes! I thought you would never ask." Here's a reminder that God has so many good things to give us that he can hardly wait till we ask for them. When we finally ask, He is often quick to answer.

"Yes! But not yet." When God asks us to wait, it may seem like a "no" answer. But it's really a delayed "yes". When God delays an answer to prayer, it's always for a good reason. He may be teaching us to depend wholly on Him, preparing us to receive the answer when it comes, or simply refining our prayers.

"No! I love you too much." God's wisdom is higher than our wisdom. When what we ask is not good for us, God graciously answers "no." He loves us too much to fulfill our wishes against His better judgment.

"Yes! But different from your thoughts." This also may seem like a "no," but it's really a disguised "yes." Watch carefully for God's answer.

"Yes! But more than you ever hoped or dreamed." What we ask for may be good and right, but God may choose to give us something even better. He sees the big picture and knows what is really good for us.

One more possible answer needs to be added: "No! Not until you deal with that sin you are holding on to." Even that is a gracious answer, to sin, remaining unconfessed and unforgiven, does great harm.

When God said "no" to Paul's request to remove his thorn in the flesh, it was with good reason. By allowing the thorn to remain, God taught Paul about His all-sufficient grace and about His power "made perfect in weakness."

In the end Paul came to the point of delighting in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties as he saw God's strength compensating for his weakness (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Our confidence is not in prayer; it is in God. When prayer doesn't seem to work, it doesn't matter so much. God is still our Lord and sustainer who graciously strengthens us.

(Google image, Praying woman in blue shirt)

(pp. 42, 43 in Love to Pray- 40 Day Devotional for Deepening Your Prayer Life by Alvin Vandergriend)

Let's pray-

Father, there have been times we've been disappointed that our prayers have not seemingly been answered. We can now see reasons for that happening. We look to You for Your better judgement in answering our prayers, as You know the end from the beginning, and what may be best for our good.

We thank You for Your all-sufficient grace and power that You use on our behalf. We confess that we are tempted at times to become upset in Your way of answering or not answering our requests.

We ask for wisdom and the understanding of Your ways and for grace to be able to delight in Your goodness, even if You say "No" to our requests. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen

Today's Bible verses-

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”

Hebrews 10:23 (NIV) "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Quote for today-

~ Author Unknown- "Spiritual maturity—or spiritual formation—is defined at its core not by being busy with a lot of Christian activities, or knowing a lot about the Bible, or piling up spiritual accomplishments. The Pharisees did all of these things, and Jesus said they were the least fruitful of anybody. To grow in authentic Biblical love, joy, peace and patience—that's the center of the target."

Words of wisdom-

Recognize discouragement, and find joy by speaking faith against the situation. Refrain from worrying, as it comes from the enemy. Keep surrendering your all to the Lord for His direction and help.

Today's question-

Why was Sampson mentioned in Hebrews 11:32?

We know that he did things that seemed immoral, but what is the truth about what all he did, as his charge from God from his conception, was to begin to save Israel from the power of the Philistines. (Judges 13:5).

He was shortsighted, but kept his charge until his death, where he ended up killing more Philistines than he did his whole life, accomplishing what his charge was from God.

People betrayed him several times, causing him to act in anger, which was part of his charge to save Israel from the Philistines. King David ended up completing his charge when he became king.

Upcoming posts:

#16 What Is Intercession?- Alvin Vandergriend- 11/4

The Greatest Mystery- Xochiti Dixon - 6th

#17- God Seeks Intercessors- Alvin Vandergriend- 9th

#18 The Scope of Intercession- Alvin Vandergriend- 11th

Why Am I Here?- Mary Southerland- 13th