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[size=x-large]When God Says, "No"[/size] [size=large]by Alvin Vandergriend[/size]
[size=large]2 Corinthians 12:7-9[/size]
"There was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times i pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."
[size=large]S[/size]omeone has suggested that God answers prayer in the following five ways: 1) "Yes! I thought you would never ask": 2) "Yes! But not yet": 3) "No! I love you too much": 4)"Yes! But different from your thoughts": and 5) "Yes! But more than you ever hoped or dreamed." Let's look briefly at each one of these.
[size=large]"Yes! I thought you would never ask."[/size]
Here's a reminder that God has so many good things to give us that He can hardly wait until we ask for them. When we finally ask, He is often quick to answer.
[size=large]"Yes! But not yet."[/size]
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.
[size=large]"No! I love you too much."[/size]
God's wisdom is higher than our wisdom. When what we ask for is not goof for us, God graciously answers, "No." He love us too much to fulfill our wishes against His better judgement.
[size=large]"Yes! But different from your thoughts."[/size]
This also may seem like a "no," but it's really a disguised "yes." Watch carefully for God's answer.
[size=large]"Yes! But more than you ever hoped or dreamed."[/size]
What we ask for may be good and right, but God may choose to give us something 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, for 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 weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties as he saw God's strength compensating for his weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12:10). Our confidence is not a 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.
[size=large]Reflect[/size]
Have you ever been disappointed in God for not answering your prayers? What are some reasons God may have had for not giving what you asked for? Does it make sense to say, "Our confidence is not in prayer; it is in God"? Why?
[size=large]Pray[/size]
Praise God for His all-sufficient grace and power, which He uses on our behalf. Confess any anger you may have toward God, if you are disappointed in His way of answering or not answering your prayers. Ask for wisdom to understand God's ways and for grace to be able to delight in God's goodness, even if He says "no" to your request.
[size=large]Act[/size]
Tell God you are happy for the times He has said "no," because you know He did it with your best interest in mind.
[size=large]2 Corinthians 12:7-9[/size]
"There was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times i pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."
[size=large]S[/size]omeone has suggested that God answers prayer in the following five ways: 1) "Yes! I thought you would never ask": 2) "Yes! But not yet": 3) "No! I love you too much": 4)"Yes! But different from your thoughts": and 5) "Yes! But more than you ever hoped or dreamed." Let's look briefly at each one of these.
[size=large]"Yes! I thought you would never ask."[/size]
Here's a reminder that God has so many good things to give us that He can hardly wait until we ask for them. When we finally ask, He is often quick to answer.
[size=large]"Yes! But not yet."[/size]
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.
[size=large]"No! I love you too much."[/size]
God's wisdom is higher than our wisdom. When what we ask for is not goof for us, God graciously answers, "No." He love us too much to fulfill our wishes against His better judgement.
[size=large]"Yes! But different from your thoughts."[/size]
This also may seem like a "no," but it's really a disguised "yes." Watch carefully for God's answer.
[size=large]"Yes! But more than you ever hoped or dreamed."[/size]
What we ask for may be good and right, but God may choose to give us something 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, for 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 weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties as he saw God's strength compensating for his weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12:10). Our confidence is not a 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.
[size=large]Reflect[/size]
Have you ever been disappointed in God for not answering your prayers? What are some reasons God may have had for not giving what you asked for? Does it make sense to say, "Our confidence is not in prayer; it is in God"? Why?
[size=large]Pray[/size]
Praise God for His all-sufficient grace and power, which He uses on our behalf. Confess any anger you may have toward God, if you are disappointed in His way of answering or not answering your prayers. Ask for wisdom to understand God's ways and for grace to be able to delight in God's goodness, even if He says "no" to your request.
[size=large]Act[/size]
Tell God you are happy for the times He has said "no," because you know He did it with your best interest in mind.