Bulletin Articles
Accepting "No" for an Answer
Nobody likes to hear the word "no". One of the first words our children learn in"no". Yet, in our prayer life, we always expect an affirmative answer from God. However, sometimes God also tells us "no."
We have at least three Biblical occasions when God's answer was "no".
In 2 Samuel 11 and 12, David, one who was described as "a man after God's own heart" committed a multitude of sins against Uriah and was chastened by Nathan the prophet. In 2 Samuel 12:16-19 it is recorded that the baby became deathly ill and that David "pleaded" with God on behalf of his son. This continued for 7 days, but on the 7th day, the baby died. God's answer to David was "no".
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul describes " a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan" about which Paul "pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me" 2 Cor 12:7-8. God's answer to Paul was "no".
Our savior, Jesus Christ prayed to God in the garden "My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me" Matt 26:39. Luke's account says that Jesus "being in anguish, he prayed more fervently and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground" Luke 22:44. God's answer to his Son was "no".
The fact that God answered all three of these requests with a "no" did not mean that He didn't hear their prayers or that He didn't love David, Paul, or Jesus. It simply meant that God's will was different in each occasion.
So how did each man react?
David's reaction was to wash, change his clothes, anoint himself and go to the Lord's house and worship. 2 Sam 12:20.
Paul's reaction was to "gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me." 2 Cor 12:9
Jesus said "not my will but yours be done" Luke 22:42.
Each of these individuals demonstrate the proper response, even when God tells us "no".
Too often we are tempted to display anger and act like children when we don't get the answer we want. Sometimes we say "God didn't hear my prayer" when the real answer is that God said "no".
We pray for the recovery of loved ones who fall sick, we pray for the removal of obstacles before us, but sometimes the answer is "no"
We always have a God who loves us, who showers us with grace, and who sacrificed His son on our behalf. May we develop the maturity to accept "no" to our prayers and may that answer not shake us from the foundation of our faith.
