Have you ever prayed with good intentions, only to have God say no? How about a longing to do a great work for God, but the surrounding circumstances in your life seem to be screaming, “Sorry, but there’s absolutely no way?” There’s something fencing you in and preventing you from accomplishing what you think you need to be doing. The Holy Spirit brought this story to my mind as I was talking to a friend last night, with the hopes of giving some encouragement. Do you remember the time when King David wanted to build God a temple, and God said no?
“Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!”
But that same night the Lord said to Nathan (the prophet), “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in? I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling. Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel? I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”
“Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all of your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on earth!
Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. My favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.” 2 Samuel 7: 2-9, 11-13, 15-16
Wow! This doesn’t mean God rejected David. And He is not rejecting us when He says “No.” We just saw that God was planning to do something even greater in David’s life than allowing him the prestige of building the Temple. Although God turned down David’s request, He promised to continue the house (or dynasty) of David forever. Ok… think, really think about this… whatever it is blocking our desires, it may be our health, our limited finances, lack of this, lack of that, this is where we find hope… This is God’s way of directing you to a greater purpose in your life. Many times in the Bible, God promises to guide us…
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your path.” Proverbs 3: 5-6
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.” Isaiah 48: 17
When we read and study this, we can apply the same thing to us today. Accepting God’s “No” requires as great a faith as carrying out His “Yes.”
