Day 36: When God Says, "No"...

No one likes to be told, "No." It's just part of who we are. From the time we are small children, we grow very accustomed to having what we want when we want it. Our society spoon-feeds us the idea that we deserve instant gratification with everything. We see something we want, decide we need it, and do whatever it takes to obtain it.

This mindset sometimes bleeds over to our spiritual life. We can be guilty of treating God like a magic genie. We pray like we're at a spiritual ATM. We see an opportunity or a "thing" that we think will make our lives better, and we pray to God and ask Him to drop it on our front doorstep. Sometimes, if it's in His will, He grants our requests. Other times, however, He says, "No." Those two little letters can sometimes crush our spirits.

So what is the secret of dealing with an answer that is different than what we thought we wanted/needed/deserved? It all boils down to one word, and we see that word lived out in the lives of three individuals who all were given "No" answers.

David: Because of sin with Bathsheba, God informs Him via the prophet Nathan that their child would die. David pleads for the life of his son, but God denies His request.
Paul: Given a thorn in the flesh to keep his pride in check, he asks God three times to take it away. Instead, God gives Him something else.
Jesus: pleads with His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane to let the "cup" of suffering He was about to endure pass from Him. God's masterful plan, however, still leads to Golgotha and the tomb.

In each of the examples above, we see God answer three very heartfelt prayers with an answer that is different than what the one praying sincerely wished for. And how are these answers met?

Trust.

David, Paul, and Jesus all responded in trust to the answers they received. David committed the rest of his life to God, Paul used his answer to magnify Jesus to others, and Jesus demonstrated ultimate obedience.

We may not always understand or agree with the answer that we're given in prayer, but we can always trust- that God loves us, that God has a plan for our lives, that God is in control, and that God can make good come out of any and every situation we face.

May we continue to pray sincerely, boldly, and with faith. But may we also simply choose to trust in the answer we're given, even when the answer is "No."

Written by Jonathan Pettus, Involvement Minister at Mt. Juliet

# posted by JP @ 12:01 AM on Sunday, December 19, 2010

Comments:

It is so easy to turn back on God when the answers to some of the most important things is "no." Trust cannot be overemphasized! It comes back to - do I trust God? Not only to pray and trust - but also to trust Him enough with my life to live it for Him! JP - thanks for linking "no" through prayer and "trust" together. If we miss that - we will miss God! Great job!

# posted by

David R. Shannon : December 19, 2010 at 3:25 AM

Thank you JP for reminding us to trust God…regardless of the answer. What I like about David and the story you referenced, was that after Nathan left and his son (from Bathsheba) was struck ill, David began fasting and praying. But when the child ultimately died, he got up, washed, worshiped God, and ate. When asked why he was acting like that, his answer – as you referenced – shows how he trusted God “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:22-23). Thanks again JP.

TS

# posted by

Anonymous : December 19, 2010 at 4:04 AM



Day 36: When God Says, "No"... No one likes to be told, "No." It's just part of who we are. From the time we are small children, we grow very accustomed to having what we want when we want it. Our society spoon-feeds us the idea that we deserve instant gratification with everything. We see something we want, decide we need it, and do whatever it takes to obtain it. This mindset sometimes bleeds over to our spiritual life. We can be guilty of treating God like a magic genie. We pray like we're at a spiritual ATM. We see an opportunity or a "thing" that we think will make our lives better, and we pray to God and ask Him to drop it on our front doorstep. Sometimes, if it's in His will, He grants our requests. Other times, however, He says, "No." Those two little letters can sometimes crush our spirits. So what is the secret of dealing with an answer that is different than what we thought we wanted/needed/deserved? It all boils down to one word, and we see that word lived out in the lives of three individuals who all were given "No" answers. David: Because of sin with Bathsheba, God informs Him via the prophet Nathan that their child would die. David pleads for the life of his son, but God denies His request. Paul: Given a thorn in the flesh to keep his pride in check, he asks God three times to take it away. Instead, God gives Him something else. Jesus: pleads with His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane to let the "cup" of suffering He was about to endure pass from Him. God's masterful plan, however, still leads to Golgotha and the tomb. In each of the examples above, we see God answer three very heartfelt prayers with an answer that is different than what the one praying sincerely wished for. And how are these answers met? Trust. David, Paul, and Jesus all responded in trust to the answers they received. David committed the rest of his life to God, Paul used his answer to magnify Jesus to others, and Jesus demonstrated ultimate obedience. We may not always understand or agree with the answer that we're given in prayer, but we can always trust- that God loves us, that God has a plan for our lives, that God is in control, and that God can make good come out of any and every situation we face. May we continue to pray sincerely, boldly, and with faith. But may we also simply choose to trust in the answer we're given, even when the answer is "No." Written by Jonathan Pettus, Involvement Minister at Mt. Juliet # posted by JP @ 12:01 AM on Sunday, December 19, 2010 Comments: It is so easy to turn back on God when the answers to some of the most important things is "no." Trust cannot be overemphasized! It comes back to - do I trust God? Not only to pray and trust - but also to trust Him enough with my life to live it for Him! JP - thanks for linking "no" through prayer and "trust" together. If we miss that - we will miss God! Great job! # posted by David R. Shannon : December 19, 2010 at 3:25 AM Thank you JP for reminding us to trust God…regardless of the answer. What I like about David and the story you referenced, was that after Nathan left and his son (from Bathsheba) was struck ill, David began fasting and praying. But when the child ultimately died, he got up, washed, worshiped God, and ate. When asked why he was acting like that, his answer – as you referenced – shows how he trusted God “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:22-23). Thanks again JP. TS # posted by Anonymous : December 19, 2010 at 4:04 AM Post a Comment << Home	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM Past Archives: November 2010 December 2010

Day 36: When God Says, "No"...

Post a Comment