Sometimes God Says, "No."

There is a little lady that I call my God-daughter.  Her mother was my best friend for about 3 years before she died on February 5, 2015.  I've been blessed with a close relationship with her family and still get to spend a lot of time with them.  Anyway, baby girl is like me.  She hates, and I mean despises, being told no.

Can I have candy? No.

Can I watch television a little longer? No.

Can I have this or that toy? No.

Each no is typically followed by a little bit of pouting.  She is 4 going on 40 and hates being told no.

But, there's a reason why we answered no to these questions. She wanted candy because she didn't know that her favorite meal had already been prepared for dinner.  She wanted to watch television after bedtime but we knew that she'd never get enough sleep to get up on time for school.  She wanted a new barbie, but she didn't know that her grand-mother had already ordered 12 barbies for her for Christmas.

If God always said yes when we pray, we would get whatever we want.  That may be okay with some people.    It may even be okay with us temporarily.  But we must remember that what we want has nothing on what God wants for us.   Ephesians 3:20 tells us that "God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ask or even think."  Even the very best thing that you could ask of God has no comparison to His limitless possibilities in our lives.

That helps us to better understand when God says no!

God wants to bless us and keep us, prosper us and call us to higher.  He wants us to have good things... But, even good things at a bad time can become a burden or weight. A baby is a beautiful thing, a gift from God, but we don't usually want to see the baby until after he or she has spent 9 months in the womb.  Even the most anxious expecting mothers understand that that time is crucial. Time is crucial.  

When you pray, pray with understanding and submission.  Pray with an open mind and heart.  Don't pray to change God's mind or God's heart, but pray for God to change your mind and your heart. Pray because God will only tell you know when it's not time or when He just has something better.

God is trustworthy.  God is faithful.  His love for us is sure.

Matthew 7:9-11 says this, “What man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

God, help us today to trust your timing.  Help us not to seek only for you to say yes.  Help us to ask for your guidance and direction, submitting to your perfect timing and perfect will.   Thank you for being a God who doesn't always say yes.  Thank you for being a God who is not controlled, but in control.  Thank you for your DIVINE no.  Thank you for your DIVINE timing.  We trust you now, God.  In Jesus' name, AMEN.