When God Says No

We all have been told no to something that we really wanted. It might have been about a job, a relationship, a goal or a worthy pursuit. We can be so sure about something that it’s a given to us. Most of us don’t’ want to hear a no, especially if it’s for a good cause. Yet, could you imagine if God said yes to everyone’s request?  

After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him. David said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent."  Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you." 2 Samuel 7:1-3

During a time of Israel’s relative peace King David desired to build the temple for the Ark of the Covenant. It was certainly a great godly goal. Like David, during times of peace and relative calm we too can think to ourselves that this is what I’m going to do, but is it God leading you? Our passionate desire might be a great plan, but it might not be God’s plan.

We all have sincere friends like Nathan who can say to us “Go for it David” and later to find out it’s not God at all. That’s hard to hear indeed, especially after a prophet tells you to go for it.

That night the word of God came to Nathan, saying: "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in.” 1 Chronicles 17:3-4

Now then, tell my servant David, “This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel.  I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.

When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body (Solomon), and I will establish his kingdom.  He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.  

                                                                                                                  2 Samuel 7:8-9, 12-13

One of the hardest things in life is to have a vision or a goal and God uses someone else to carry it out. That’s hard stuff, yet that is what happened with David. Here’s David’s response to God’s no.

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? … And as if this were not enough in your sight. What more can David say to you?  For you know your servant, O Sovereign LORD.  2 Sam.7:18-20

What an excellent response from David. God, you are so good to me! Can you say that too? God said no to David even though his intentions were noble. It does bring up the question though, is it wrong to dream like this? Absolutely not!!

Have you ever wanted to do great things for God? I hope so. When God said no to your plans what was your response? We so desperately want our reasoning to be God’s reasoning. When we do get a no we can become hurt and disillusioned. Getting a no does not mean we are being disciplined for poor choices or faulty logic. 

Like David, our intentions may be good, but we need not force our passionate will.

God doesn’t ask everybody to build temples, but he does call everyone to some purpose. Many would have been extremely devastated, but David praised God. God’s will was more important to David than his own desire or need. Some day we shall understand that God has a reason for every NO. 

Join us next time to learn more how we can experience acceptance and contentment when God says no.