GOD SAID, “NO!!”
I asked God to take away my habit. God said, “No, it is not for Me to take away, but for you to give it up.”
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, “No, his spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.”
I asked God to grant me patience. God said, “No, patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.”
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, “No, I give blessings; happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain. God said, “No, suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to Me.”
I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, “No, you must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.”
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, “No, I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.”
I asked God to help me love others, as much as He loves me. God said…”Ahhh, finally you have the idea.”
I want to thank Bobbie Ashabranner for sharing this article the author is unknown.
As we reflect on the message of the article let’s all take some time to consider all the things that we ask God for.
Now don’t think it is wrong to ask God things. The scriptures clearly teach us that God wants us to ask our queries.
Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount said, “Ask, and it will be given to you…” Matthew 7:7
He goes on to say, “Everyone who asks receives.” Matthew 7:8
Then He followed up with an illustration.
“What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew7:9-11
God saying, “NO”, to our requests may be in our best interest, as the article indicates.
There are also a lot of times when God will say, “YES” to our requests.
What determines the favorable response to our request?
“Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:22
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without doubting…” James 1:5-6
“You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:2-3
“Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3:22“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14
De Soto church of Christ 