We do not like it when God answers our prayers in this second manner: deny. Yet when God denies our prayers, it is because He knows that ultimately it will not be good for us. He knows, even when it hurts to be denied, that there is a greater purpose for it that He will reveal to us, either here or in Eternity. Again, this requires a great deal of trust…and it is one of the many ways God grows our Faith in Him.
Because God loves us, He would never allow anything to happen to us that would ultimately destroy us. And because He loves us, He allows for us to answer His calls this same way: deny! And sadly, we do this way too often. For instance, if I am wrapped up doing some kind of project or other, and God places on my heart to call someone on the phone, I can answer Him, “No, Father. I refuse to obey.” Again because He loves us, He works even our disobedience together for our good…yet if you’re not sure about the consequences of disobeying God, check out the Old Testament. Spoiler alert: it does not go well for them…and so, hopefully, as we grow, we learn to NOT deny God and simply choose that first option: “Yes, Father. I trust You.”
How God answers our prayers:
1- Direct: “Yes, here you go. Trust Me.”
2- Deny: “No, that’s not what is best for you. Trust My Plan.”
How we answer God’s calls:
1- Direct: “Yes Father, here I am to gladly obey. I trust You.”
2- Deny: “No Father, I refuse to obey. I trust my own plan.”
<>< Peace, Diane
