When 'NO' is okay? Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

How your faith works when God says no!TODAY: Wednesday 13 January


TOPIC: WHEN ‘NO’ IS OKAY

MEMORIZE: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matt. 7:7)

READ: James 4: 1-3

Although God’s Word never fails, yet it is possible to pray based on scriptures and not get a desired answer. In the 70s, I used to go for retreats with some Bible study leaders at a youth camp that obviously was the most promising, conducive and serene Christian camp ground in Nigeria then. With over 40 acres of land, the camp was endowed with a smooth flowing stream and a beautiful scenery that adequately provided comfort to users. When we heard that it was out for sale for 100,000 Pounds, how my team converged on that land to pray! We quoted relevant scriptures, did prayer walks on bare feet and claimed the land for our use. We were so poor that we could not afford 1000 Pounds.

In spite of all the prayer effort that went into it, we lost the land to another church that acquired and paid for it without stress. Boy, were we disappointed, discouraged and cast down! Unknown to us, God had other plans- even better than we desired. According to James 4:3, we were asking amiss. About five years later, the Lord expressly led us to our current campground; we bought it amidst tears of joy and gratitude. It was then it dawned on me that when He said ‘NO’ to our earlier request, it was because He had something better in store for us.

It is not every time God’s ‘No’ means ‘Nothing for you’. It could mean ‘This is not god enough. Wait until I find something better’. Have you been trusting God for a particular blessing for so long? You have prayed, confessed the Word, stood on His promises and released your faith yet it appears God is not hearing; Be not discouraged! God is interested in that request but it could be that what you are crying your eyes out for is not as good as what He has in mind for you. This is one reason you should be totally yielded to His will. Are you bent on marrying that brother or sister and God appears silent on your request? He may have someone better for you! Ask God to help you never to pressurize Him to the point of giving you something below His best. Anytime your desire is below God’s provision, ask to receive a ‘No’ for an answer. That is when ‘No’ is okay.

ACTION POINT: Thank God for reserving the best for you. Ask for grace always to wait on Him until you get His best.