When God Says No
Today, I was planning to be at the Las Vegas Magic Show buying inventory to launch my online boutique this spring but God said no. I had been praying and believing God to connect me with someone in the business to show me how to get started and he did last month. The young lady even invited me to attend the event with her. I was so excited that I immediately began to research travel arrangements and submitted an application to attend the event. As a result of being anxious I unknowingly applied for the wrong show event. They sent me an acceptance email to attend that event but it was not the right show event. So, I reapplied and never received a response back. I followed up and still heard nothing back. So, I let the young lady know the status of my plans to attend were on hold because I had not received a confirmation email with my event pass. After which, she extended an invitation to add me to her list which would give me a pass to attend with her as planned. I prayed about it asking God why they didn’t accept my application after meeting all the requirements. And, it was clear that at this time he just wants me to learn how to register to attend, where the events are held, and how to research vendors. It was not his will at this time for me to attend. I thought NOOOOO come on Lord…I was so excited …ugh now I have to see the pictures of all the great and fun opportunities I missed out on. I was even tempted with the thought to just go anyway but every time I searched for a flight and hotel there was no peace within about it. Yes, I could have gone and probably would have had a great time but the sacrifice wasn’t worth my peace. I have grown to a place where I don’t have to understand the why or next step to obey and trust God.
When I don’t get my way the Holy Spirit reminds me of Psalm 84:11 (NKJV), “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly. And, 1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT), “But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” These two scriptures help me to obey the voice of the Lord when I’m tempted to do my own thing when God says wait…not now. These scriptures also bring light that there is a great reward when we surrender our will and submit to obedience.
There is divine protection in obeying. Just think about the consequences of disobeying your natural parents as a child. It was not fun and it was not worth the temporary satisfaction. Disobeying can be life altering just pause for a moment and think about a time in your life where you disobeyed and what happened. Yes, I’m sure there were times when grace caused you to escape the consequences but then there were times where you had to endure the pain of sowing disobedience.
I can recall a time as a teenager where my mom told me over and over again not to have passengers in the car with me. Well, over and over again I disobeyed that rule and one night I got caught. One night I was driving with three girls in the car when a car came out of nowhere and hit us. The driver t-boned my vehicle causing the car to flip on its side for a moment and landed. No one was injured physically but let me tell you what I was terrified because I knew I was in so much trouble. Waiting on my parents to show up at the hospital I was wishing I was physically hurt because I knew my mom was going to give me the business. But, she didn’t immediately because her and my stepdad were so concerned about my status that they arrived and offered tons of comfort. Now the next day or so when the insurance people and my so-called friend’s lawyers started calling I began to experience the consequences of my decision to disobey my parents.
As I look back on my posture towards my mom’s passenger rules I thought she was mean, over protective, and didn’t want me to have fun with my friends. Clearly, I didn’t understand wisdom and discernment…that she knew better than me…that the boundaries she set were to keep me safe. See, the parents of the girls riding with me sued and filed false insurance claims that cost my parents dearly. The take away is that obedience is better than sacrifice. If it were good for me to drive with other teens in the car then my mother would have said yes she would not have withheld that experience from me. And, the consequences of my disobedience caused the car to be totaled, medical expenses, and a financial burden.
As I sit here thinking back about on this experience with my parents it brings light to my posture with God at times. It causes me to pause and repent. There have been times when God has told me no or maybe responded by not allowing the door to open for me. Then, I would take it in my own hands and make it happen another way. Or manipulate someone into giving me what I want. Then ask God to bless and/or finance my self-made mess. There have also been times where I have doubted God…hmmm he might not say yes…he might not come through in time…I need this now. And, let me not forget to mention my attitude towards living a Christian lifestyle….yeah that’s only for them super holy saints. I can live and do what I want when I want and how I want…I have plenty of time for that when I get older. In essence, I was saying God I don’t need you right now I can make my own decisions I will call on you for the big stuff but making everyday simple decisions like taking a trip that’s small. But, see it’s big to God. The Holy Spirit had to teach me how to trust God with the little and big things. To trust the Lord with all my heart and lean not to my own understanding.
As I close, what comes to mind right now is Luke 16:10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” If God gave you the vision he will order your steps to manifest it. Integrity is important to God. You don’t have to lie, cheat, or come up with your own plan to get what we want. If God cannot trust you to seek him in the small matters why would he increase you with large matters for you to do it without him? We can make plans and decisions for ourselves but there is a joy and peace that comes with being in the will of God in small and big matters. Ask God to help your unbelief so that you can begin to seek and trust him more. If you have children right now begin to think about the boundaries you set for them and why you tell them no or wait. It’s either not the right time for the experience or you are saying no to protect them from something that could harm them. As a loving parent your hope is that your child knows that you are committed to their well-being. And, their obedience demonstrates that they trust that you know what’s best for them even if they don’t understand. In the same manner, we demonstrate our obedience to God by doing what he says is right for us.
Self-Awareness Questions:
What’s your posture when God says no? Do you throw a fit? Do you get mad at God? Do you see obedience as a burdensome obligation? Do you do your own thing when God says no? Or, do you trust that God knows what’s best and keep a good attitude?