When God Says No

“In order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

It should never be said that God does not answer every prayer. That would make God a liar since he has promised to answer all our prayers. Jeremiah 33:3 tells us, “Call to me and I will answer you.” Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), sometimes the answer is no.

Ask any parent which answer they give their children most often: yes, no, or wait until later. In many homes “no” would probably be the easy winner. Why? Because children’s requests are not always wise requests that are in their best interests. Parents know better. They have insight, maturity, and wisdom, and they know the consequences each request might bring.

So it is with our heavenly Father. He often says no to our requests. Paul made this point quite clear. Something in Paul’s life constantly caused him great pain and anguish. He called it a thorn in the flesh. Three times he prayed that God would remove the thorn. Each time God’s answer was simple: “No, this thorn causes you to rely on me even more because when you become weaker, I become stronger.” As a result, Paul saw his pain in a different light. He understood that God’s no had a purpose behind it. Finally Paul boasted, “Now I can delight in my thorns. For when my life becomes weak, God becomes strong.” God’s no always tells us that he knows there’s something better for us.

Paul wasn’t the only one to learn that lesson. David prayed that his newborn son might live. The baby died. Moses pleaded that God would let him enter the Promised Land. He died on Mount Nebo. Elijah and Jonah both asked God to take their lives. The Lord had different plans. How thankful we can be that our loving Father has the wisdom to tell us no. We should remember that God’s no to our prayer is always a yes to his purpose. Romans 8:28 says it so well: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”

Remember God’s no to our prayer is always a yes to his purpose.

You’ve asked God for what you want.

Now, have you listened to what he wants?

(This devotion is from the book “The Gift of Prayer” by Reynold R. Kremer)