What If God Says No?
Have you ever wanted something so badly that you can’t imagine not
getting it? What you wanted was so good and so right that you
confidently prayed for it, sure that God would give it to you? And then
he didn’t?
Jesus knows exactly how you feel. Hebrews 5:7 says, “During the days
of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent
cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was
heard because of his reverent submission.”
Jesus begged his Father to save him from the cross. He begged him
throughout his life, until the night he was arrested. “Father, if you are
willing, take this cup from me” (Luke 22:42).
There has never been a purer prayer. Never been a prayer that God
didn’t yearn to answer more. But God knew that Jesus’ crucifixion was
necessary for us to be saved. So he sadly answered No.
Thank God for unanswered prayer! Our salvation depends on it. If God
had said Yes to every deserving prayer, you and I would be headed for
hell.
We don’t have to like it when God says No. Jesus tells us to keep asking,
seeking, and knocking until we get what we need. But we can trust the
God who said No to his beloved Son, for us. God’s No is another name
for love..