When God Answers "No."
Many people want God to say "yes" to all of their prayer requests. That would seem to be the best answer, but sometimes, it is not the correct answer, so God says "wait" or "no." Any of those three answers are perfectly acceptable answers, because God knows best, and we should want His will, not ours. Let's look at one "no" answer in the Bible that will help us understand this concept.(II Corinthians 12:9) It could help us never look at prayer the same way again.
First of all, God answered Paul very specifically when he prayed for the thorn in the flesh to be removed from him three times. He does not tell us, if the answer was audible or not, but Paul knew exactly what God told him, so he could give us a direct quote. I love those answers don't you? Even if God says "no" it is great to hear from Him so clearly that you can tell others word for word what He told you. I believe the more we pray, and the more we listen for answers the more this will happen for any believer.
God's answer was not just "no;" it was an explanation of why God said He would not heal him. The explanation is a fantastic statement about God's love for His children. He said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." God knows what we need when He says "no" to one of our requests, so He is ready to supply strength for us by His grace if we will just trust Him. Maybe, God says "no" to a job, or "no" to a new car, or "no" to removing pain, but in each case He gives us the ability to endure until we find the right answer, or He takes us to heaven.
Therefore, we can all be like Paul and boast in our weaknesses and sicknesses, because each one will enable us to know the power of God in our lives more and to be better witnesses of the Lord to others. We can walk around continuously experiencing the power of God to help us with that problem. What a blessing; when we started out thinking it would be a bad thing, but God turns it into a good thing.
See what I mean? A "no" answer can be a great blessing in many ways.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Corinthians 13 and Galatians 1-2.
First of all, God answered Paul very specifically when he prayed for the thorn in the flesh to be removed from him three times. He does not tell us, if the answer was audible or not, but Paul knew exactly what God told him, so he could give us a direct quote. I love those answers don't you? Even if God says "no" it is great to hear from Him so clearly that you can tell others word for word what He told you. I believe the more we pray, and the more we listen for answers the more this will happen for any believer.
God's answer was not just "no;" it was an explanation of why God said He would not heal him. The explanation is a fantastic statement about God's love for His children. He said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." God knows what we need when He says "no" to one of our requests, so He is ready to supply strength for us by His grace if we will just trust Him. Maybe, God says "no" to a job, or "no" to a new car, or "no" to removing pain, but in each case He gives us the ability to endure until we find the right answer, or He takes us to heaven.
Therefore, we can all be like Paul and boast in our weaknesses and sicknesses, because each one will enable us to know the power of God in our lives more and to be better witnesses of the Lord to others. We can walk around continuously experiencing the power of God to help us with that problem. What a blessing; when we started out thinking it would be a bad thing, but God turns it into a good thing.
See what I mean? A "no" answer can be a great blessing in many ways.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Corinthians 13 and Galatians 1-2.