post written by Craig Johnson
When God Says NO
Have you ever really wanted something? I mean REALLY wanted something?? You prepare yourself, anticipate what it would be like, the dream gets bigger and bigger… Then the let down: Ain’t gonna happen!
I’ve found that the hardest times I’ve had serving the Lord is when things don’t go the way I want them to. Categorically there are four basic answers God gives us in prayer.
1. Yes
2. No
3. I will if you will.
4. Maybe
When God says NO, you find out who you really are. Many times we forget this simple truth, whether God gives or God takes it is a sign of love.
I’m reminded of David, shepherd boy, told he would be king, kills a lion, kills a bear, kills a giant, almost killed over and over by mad king… Trial after trial after trial…
2 Samuel 7:1 picks up part of his story after he became king and started his conquering campaign, “…the Lord had given him rest on all sides.” FINALLY!
Just a little side note, when you live in peace you begin to dream. David’s dream was simple: Building a house for God.
If you read in 2 Samuel 7, you will find something interesting… David wants to build a house for God and God tells him NO. Just because it’s a good idea doesn’t mean that it’s a God idea.Opportunity doesn’t mean you just take it.God basically told David, “You’re a warrior, not a builder.”
What we need to realize is that Solomon building the temple was not because there was sin in David’s life!
THIS IS BEFORE BATHSHEEBA AND URIAH!!
When God says NO it is not always discipline nor is it always rejection.
I want to pick back up 2 Samuel 7, this is verse 18 after David finds out he is not the one to build the temple.
“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house that you have brought me this far?’”
Maybe you can relate, you have a dream that you want so bad and it’s just not happening… Or maybe you feel like you’re stuck in a holding pattern… Or maybe you haven’t experienced this yet (don’t worry you will…) I have to ask you:
What is your posture going to be when God says NO? Will you be able to sit before Him and praise Him anyway??
