When “No” is the Answer

Matthew 7:7-8 (New King James Version)
Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking   
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

We pray and then we worry when we feel that our prayers are not answered. We begin to feel that God has abandoned us or that we have fallen out of favor.

"Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him." (John 9:31)

It is true that we need to examine ourselves to see if there is anything in our lives that is outside the will of God and to “renew our minds” on a regular basis.

Romans 12:2 (New King James Version)
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

When we have examined ourselves and feel that we have done all that we know in order to be in the will of God and prayers still are not answered we begin to feel unworthy and to allow doubts about our relationship with God and our place in the Body of Christ.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord"

(James 1:5-7)

We perhaps have been led to believe that God always answers “yes” to faithful prayers and hints may be made by well-meaning friends that our faith just isn't strong enough so we dedicate ourselves to “waiting patiently on the Lord”.
1 Chronicles 4:10 (New American Standard Bible)
The last thing we want to consider is the possibility that God has indeed answered our prayers and the answer was “No”.

Now comes the issue of real trust. Are we able to trust that God really knows what is best for us? Are we truly willing to fulfill god's purpose in our lives? Are we truly willing to not only wait on the Lord but accept His response?

We must acknowledge that, even when our purpose is good and our hearts are pure, God, like any good father, will sometimes say “No”.

Matthew 26:38-39 (New American Standard Bible)
 38Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."
 39And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."

Jesus, as always, provides our perfect example.

May God Forever be a Blessing in Your Life!!!