Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

WHEN GOD SAYS "NO"

James Russell Lowell wisely observed, "There is no good arguing with the inevitable; the only argument available with an east wind is to put on your overcoat." Although there are times we must learn to intercede, there are other times God simply says "No." We should learn to leave it at that.

Moses wanted desperately to go into the Promised Land. He prayed about this often until one day God reminded Moses that he had been forbidden to enter. God said: Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter. The case was simply closed, and Moses learned to live with that decision (Deuteronomy 3:21-29).

There may be times when we do not like the answers to our prayers. But God is not a genie in a bottle we can conjure up to do our bidding. We serve Him; He does not serve us. Therefore, we cannot expect all our prayers to be answered with a "Yes." The wise believer sincerely believes God knows best. Like Christ, we must learn to pray, "Nevertheless, not what I want, but Your will be done."