Message to my faithful readers

I have taken a short sabbatical but please come back the week of October 1 to see what GOD is saying to you and about you.

“I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” 

Psalm 16:8

When GOD says "NO!"

A door of opportunity is opening up where you can really make a difference for the Kingdom; it’s been your specific passion for ministry service and you have the skills. 

You’ve thought about and wanted this for a long time. It’s in GOD’s will; every scriptural “I” dotted and “t” crossed. You’ve shared it with your accountability partner and your prayer group and they all agree that this is a good thing. GOD will be glorified.

Now is your chance! All the pieces are falling into place to make your dream a reality. But you are a dutiful child of GOD and will first seek the Father’s blessing before you commit. A few days can’t make that big a difference. You need to take a little time to pray. 

But the unexpected is happening. GOD is silent, distant even. 

You pray and wait, and pray some more but GOD doesn’t seem to be speaking. You try to hold off anxiety and hold on to peace. The door of opportunity is threatening to close but you’re getting nothing from GOD.

Eventually, understanding comes – GOD is speaking. Except, He isn’t saying the words you expect. GOD is saying “No.” No? But how, why? 

How should we respond when GOD says “NO!”? 

Anyone of us can pray genuine, heartfelt prayers of petition and receive a “NO” from GOD. Christians everywhere have had this experience.

You know what GOD said and promised – that you're to cast our burdens on Him, ask for His help when you're overwhelmed, confess to one another and pray for each other, read the WORD. 

So, you do all that you know because you need healing, guidance, help with a relationship, a job, but you don’t get the answer you’re hoping for, or you hear nothing at all.

When this is your reality, you can naturally feel let down, uncertain and confused. You may even begin to doubt GOD.

 

Does God care? Is God listening?

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands…” Isaiah 49:15-16

GOD cares and GOD is listening.

When you find yourself in this place, stop everything, take a deep breath, swallow your disappointment. Stop talking to your friends about your situation and fretting within yourself. Instead, get quiet and reconnect with GOD through His WORD.

Read again and again your favorite scripture verses and promises; meditate on them and begin to refocus your thoughts. Let your mind recall the GOD you fell in love with and all that He has been to you in the past.

Ask yourself, “Has GOD changed or is He still all that He is?”

• GOD is still Sovereign over His creation. He follows His own will, His way and according to His timeline and you are just part of the divine plan. "But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, “Why have you made me like this?”" Romans 9:20
• GOD is still Omniscient. He knows all things and and His understanding is beyond your ability. “For he knows the secrets of the heart.” Psalm 44:21b; “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
• GOD is still Immutable; He is unchanging. "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” Numbers 23:19; The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Psalm 33:11

Your disappointment with GOD’s response doesn’t change GOD’s character, who He is and always will be.

As you keep reading and meditating on His WORD your peace will return and your faith will be firm again. You will be able to accept with confidence that GOD’s answer to your prayers is the right one, that He has made a decisions for your life that will be for your good.  

Conclusion

GOD created each of us and before time began He set in motion a plan for our lives that’s perfect and unique to each of us (Ephesians 2:10.) When His response to our prayers is not what we want or expect it does not mean that GOD has failed to execute that plan. It does mean that, in His omniscience, He knows what is right for us and what isn’t. He hears us and He will give us what we need – exactly when we need it.

We cannot see the future – but GOD can. Our desires may be well-intentioned and godly in our eyes but GOD knows best.

Our role as children of GOD is to have faith and trust the Father's character – that He is a good Father who always gives His best to those who leave the choice with him. 

When GOD says “No,” we say, “Thank YOU!”

The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. Proverbs 16:9

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our GOD and Father, we thank you that from our greatest disappointments come our greatest joys. Thank you for reminding us that every decision YOU make for our lives is perfect and works for our good and YOUR glory. Thank YOU that we need never be anxious about anything, but we can bring everything to you in prayer with thanksgiving, knowing that YOU hear us and trusting YOU for good and not for evil. With YOU we lack no good thing. To YOU be all glory forever and ever. We pray in JESUS NAME. Amen.

Always by His Word and prayer,

Cecile