When God Says 'No'
Dear Faith Family,
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build Me a house to dwell in?’”, (2 Samuel 7:4-5).
A voice thundered from across the family room and down the hallway. “No”! Let me give you a little context. As a boy, I had asked my father for permission for something or another. Must have been one of those sophomoric ideas that only the brilliance of youth could fully understand. When I initially asked my dad, his answer was, “no” (little “n” “no” without the exclamation point).
Fast forward, just enough time for me to leave his bedroom, walk down the hallway, traverse the family room, and step up into the kitchen. Once there, I quietly asked my mother for the permission that my father had denied. (Can I just say, “bad idea”?!) Even before my mom could decipher my question, you guessed it, the voice thundered with a capital “N” – “No”! - punctuated with an exclamation point!
What do you do when God says “no”? When He does not give you what you ask for? When He doesn’t restore a relationship? When He refuses to work out your dream job? Do you explain to God why your idea is better than His idea? Gather sympathetic friends who offer their permission? Pout and complain?
Second Samuel seven is one such place, where God said, “no”. David had a great idea (it would seem) to build a house for His God. And God wouldn’t have it. Sitting in on the conversation between God and David is insightful. So, pull up a chair and listen in – read 2 Samuel 7.
What do you do when God says “no”? First, admit that God has the right to say “no”. He is God. It’s His world. It’s His story. You are the sheep of His pasture. He is good. He has the right to say “no”. Do you trust Him? Second, look for where God is saying “yes”. When He says “no” to one thing He is saying “yes” to something else. God used David in many amazing ways. Building a house for God was not one of those ways. Third, exercise gratitude. Reconsider who your God is and praise Him. Rehearse all that He’s done for you and give Him thanks – even thanks for saying “no”!
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