When God Says 'No!'

God knows how often I pray for you.  Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you.  For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.  When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

Romans 1:9-11

Paul desired more than anything to visit Rome.  Why?  So he could teach the Roman Christians and futher spread the Gospel.  Paul desired to do this with all his heart.  Yet, we see in this passage that God DENIED Paul's visit Rome at this time.  At first glance, it's hard to understand why God would deny such a request.  After all, Paul's intentions seem right.  His motivation is unselfish - he's not asking this for himself but for the building up of the faith and spreading the News of Salvation through Jesus Christ.  So why did God tell him "No?"

Consider this, had God granted Paul's visit to Rome at this point in time, Paul wouldn't have written the Book of Romans.  However, because God delayed Paul's visit to Rome, Paul wrote to the Roman Christians the things on his heart.  And this letter he wrote to Roman Christians had much further impact for the cause of Christ than a visit to Rome.  In fact, it had FUTURE impact which continues today!  Paul's writing to the Roman Church became a very important book of the New Testament, encouraging and helping millions of Christians throughout the centuries!  As a result of Paul's delay to visit Rome, countless souls have been given access to the powerful spiritual treasures and truths  contained within the pages of the Book of Romans!  God had a much bigger and better plan than Paul did!  

When we pray about the desires of our heart, we need to understand several things.  First, we need to ensure our prayer is couched in proper motivation.  God doesn't give in to our selfish desires or wants.  So we need to check that our motivation is unselfish.  Second, we need to be wholly surrendered to His will on the matter.  An unsurrendered heart can rise up in discontent, rebellion, and self-pity.  And third, we need not be surprised if God answers in a way we don't understand at the moment.  Our motives may be pure, our hearts may be in line with His will, and our desires may be seemingly good and righteous.  However, God isn't on our time table nor is He limited to our ideas on how to answer.  He is on HIS timing and often answers in ways we NEVER expected!   Has God ever blind-sided you in answering prayer?  He has me - and often!  And in retrospect, His answers have been far better than I ever dreamed possible - AND - His timing was ALWAYS PERFECT! 

God, like any good parent, will and does sometimes say "No!" to our prayer requests.  Perhaps He has recently told you "no" to something that you have greatly desired.  Perhaps, though you are wholly surrendered, you simply don't understand why.  Instead of focusing on why we didn't get our desired answer to prayer, let's step out of His way so that  He can show us the greater reason behind the "No!"  Focus on remaining faithful no matter His answer.  Trust that God has a better purpose and plan.  Let's show Him our trust by expectantly waiting for the greater "Yes"   - without complaint, without question, without doubt, and without acting like a spoiled child!  Challenge yourself to completely trust in HIM, even in the "no."  Remember, God has a much bigger plan than you do - a far better plan!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."  Jeremiah 29:11-12

In His Love, Cathy