When God Says No

Too many times we base our faith in God on the answers we receive from Him. What if His answer is no? What if He sees fit for your prayer not to be answered?

Hebrews 11:32-39 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

This is a story of two groups of people who had faith, but in our worldly eyes one of the group's story did not end well. Too many times in our churches we say we do not believe a health and wealth gospel, but our actions would tell us otherwise. I have heard that if you follow Jesus that you will be on the "path of blessing." I agree we will be, but that blessing does not mean you get healed or that all your financial problems go away. God has blessed me so much, but what if He didn't? Would I still follow Him? Jesus was on the "Path of Blessing" and He died. The path God chooses for us is not about us, but it is about Him. God wants all people to come to a saving knowledge of Him. What if He chooses for you to suffer just so others can spend eternity with Christ? Is that not was Jesus did for us? Hebrews 2:8-10 says He tasted death for us. Jesus was on the "Path of Blessing" but the blessing was for others and not for ourselves.

In worship service we had a man who lost his arm to cancer give his testimony. One of the things that struck me was that he admitted that if it were not for the cancer that he would not be the person he is today. He also said that he felt like he was smiling before his surgery because he experienced the presence of the Lord with him as never before. Only eternity will tell the impact that God used this man for in the lives of others, but by faith he still walked through it. Did he have too little of faith? Some would say yes, of course, then they have to explain the last verses in Hebrews 11.

Am I more worried about my convenience or allowing my Savior to use me how He wants? Why did some followers get earthly blessings while others suffered? These questions may never be answered in this life other than God chose to use them each differently for His purposes (Acts 2:23, 13:36). Does God have the right to use me how He wants? Is this not what a Christ follower is? Even when you are asking for the cup to be passed from you, you do His will? Matthew 26:42