“No!”
A single word that can stir up bad memories and negative emotions for many.
We all know the feeling of asking for something we deeply desire, only to hear a response we did not want —“no.”
Receiving a “no” can feel like a rejection or a denial of our desires and it’s something people frequently struggle with hearing.
Whether it’s from our parents, spouse, children, friends, bosses, a crush, people who hold significant influence over us, or people in positions of authority like the parking warden, we dislike hearing “NO”.
But even more so, we dislike it when God says “no”.
We might have an expectation that God must answer our prayers however we want it.
It is true that God does answer every single prayer and there’s no such thing as an unanswered prayer.
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. – Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)
However, He might not answer them the way we want it.
There are times in life when God’s answer to our request is a “no.”
In such moments of vulnerability, we may feel confused, disappointed, or even rejected.
But what if we could see God’s “no” not as His rejection, but His redirection.
That He redirects us according to His love and goodness, even when we don’t understand or appreciate His answer.
Let’s explore some possibilities as to why God says “no” and how we can change our position and posture to accept His redirection.
Better Purpose
There is a purpose for everything God allows or doesn’t allow to happen. There is a purpose why God says “yes” and a purpose why He says “no”.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul asks God to remove the thorn in his flesh. Paul prayed fervently, but God’s answer was a “no.”
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. – 2 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)
God said no to protect Paul from becoming proud. God has a purpose for His “no”
At times God’s purpose for saying “no” is to protect us.
Maybe it’s because God knows our request, if answered accordingly, may cause us to become prideful, or would cause us to grow cold towards Him or cause us to fall into temptation or even worse, it could cause us to depart from Him.
We may think that what we desire is good for us, but God, who knows all things, sees the potential consequences that we cannot.
So God says “no” because He has a better purpose for us.
But even in God’s “no”, He gives us a promise to hold on to, just like He did for Paul.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
God’s “no” was not a rejection of Paul, but it came with a declaration of His presence and grace, which would sustain Paul in his weakness.
Likewise, even when we fail to see God’s purpose, we can still hold on to His promise that His presence and grace will sustain us in our weakness.
Broader Perspective
God is omniscient and is all-knowing. He knows the end from the beginning and the beginning to the end.
In comparison, we have a limited and finite perspective and because of our limited perspective, we might not see the unintended consequences of what we’re asking.
Any good parent would say “no” to their children when they know that what their children is asking for, is not good for them.
Maybe it’s wanting to eat junk food instead of healthy food, or maybe it’s to be in the company of bad, or even wanting unnecessary and impulsive purchases.
Parents would know what the consequences of their child’s actions might be so in their love, they would say “no”.
The same is true with God. In His infinite wisdom, He sees the bigger picture and has a broader perspective that we may not be able to see in our limited understanding.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. – Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)
If God denies something we ask for, it’s not because He is withholding good from us, but because what we are asking for may not be the best thing for us in the long run.
So what do we do when God says “no” because of His broader perspective? We learn to submit to His “no” and trust Him and His leading.
God is trustworthy and only has the best for His children. His “no” is a loving, wise, and protective response from a Good Father.
What He would want from us is to learn to not depend on our perspective but to trust that He is our Good Father.
God says “no” because He has a broader perspective, and He knows the implications of every decision and prayer we make. So we ought to submit to His “no”
Bigger Plan
Many of us find the need to plan because planning can help us foster a sense of control and help minimise risk and uncertainty in the present and the future.
At times, the plans we make may seem good for our lives, our future, and the people around us.
Bu it’s often said that when we make plans, God laughs because no matter how good our plans may seem if it differs from God’s plans, then it’s still a bad plan.
The Bible tells us that God has a plan for all of us. In fact, God has a bigger plan for our lives than we can ever plan for ourselves.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
So what happens when God’s plans and our plans are not aligned?
Whenever our plans are not in line with the plans of God or His timing, He will say “no”.
The reason He says “no” is because He doesn’t want us to live a shortchanged life that misses the bigger and better plan He already has for us.
What we can do to ensure that our plans are in alignment with God’s plans is to consult Him and consider Him before we make any plans.
Whenever we submit our plans and seek to align ourselves to His will for our lives, we’re allowing God to lead us into the bigger plans He has for us.
There is no better place for us to be in than to be in the center of His plans for our lives.
A plan that is covered with His welfare, a plan that leads us to the future He has for us and a plan that will give us hope.
Every “no” from God redirects us to the bigger plans God has for us.
In summary, every “no” from God is His redirection and it’s only for our good. Let us accept His “no” and follow His redirection.
Daily Meditations:
Monday – Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Tuesday – Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Wednesday – 2 Corinthians 12:9
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Thursday – Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Friday – Jeremiah 33:3
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Saturday – Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Sunday – Psalm 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
All scriptures are quoted from the English Standard Version (ESV).
By Pastor Derek Anthony
