Thankful when God says NO!

When prayer requests come for those who are sick or suffering, they almost always ask for healing and comfort. When anyone suggests that God could use those conditions for good and to accomplish His will, some are far more concerned that the suffering ends rather than God’s purpose for it is fulfilled and if that does happen, they can hardly believe it.

This morning’s reading tells of Peter being arrested and Herod’s intention to kill him. The church was praying, likely for Peter’s safety, but the text is silent on how they prayed. It just describes God’s response — and their surprise.

Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” 

At that, the chains fell off and the angel bid Peter to follow him. At first he thought it was a vision, but after passing the guards and reaching the prison gate that opened by itself, Peter said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 

Peter went to the prayer meeting, knocked at the door and a servant girl heard him, ran to tell the rest, but didn’t open the door. They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. (Story in Acts 12)

They were praying for him so why were they shocked at the answer? I’m not sure about them, but I realized last night that even today if a miracle happens most Christians find human reasons for it rather than be amazed at what God has done.

Earlier in our lives, a family incident should have sent us into a panic, but God gave us pure joy, unexplainable joy, even though others involved were paralyzed with fear. This joy was a surprise for us also, and obviously a demonstration of God’s power. As we tell the story, some think we were just hard-hearted or a bit daft. We should not feel joy. Only those who have had God do one of those “only God” things in their lives understand our joy.

This shows me that that group praying for Peter were given a huge lesson that night in God's wisdom and power. Once it happened to them, they entered into greater trust in God. He then  showed them that He can deal with all enemies, in this case the one who wanted to kill Peter: 

On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. But the word of God increased and multiplied. (Acts 12:21–24)

Soon after that, Paul and Barnabas preached in a synagogue with another amazing result. They gave a history account of God, law, their failure, and the coming of Christ then said: 

Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: “ ‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’ ” 

The people begged these disciples to keep talking and many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear them. Not only that, when Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord too, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. . . .  And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:38–52) and increased boldness!

PRAY: God, You often use suffering and surprises to show us Your power and faithful goodness and to build our faith. Just asking You to remove the suffering means asking You to stop building our confidence and instead just make us feel good. While You love to answer my prayers, I’m really glad that have not answered some of them.

 

Trusting God in all things…

 
Last night, every prayer request involved situations over which none of us have any control or ability or even ideas about what to do. They involved broken relationships, lack of opportunities, and others making poor or even dangerous decisions. Today’s devotional is about letting go of our possessions, yet this and those prayer requests require the same attitude — total trust in God.

Broken relationships prompted: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” (Malachi 4:5–6) God is able to turn hearts even in these days of split families and feuds between people and nations. While I am responsible to live at peace with those in my life, there is nothing I can do that will change the wars in the world or bring peace between fathers and children. Surely we need to trust the Lord God to change things.

Lack of opportunities can involve everything from wanting a job, wanting a new car, to wanting a husband. Waiting on the Lord does not mean sitting and waiting for the phone to ring, yet in human searching for changes or new things, the doors can be repeatedly closed. My best efforts do not automatically mean success. Writers can send book proposals to dozens of editors. Skilled workers can submit resumes to dozens of employers. People can belong to several match-making groups yet still be disappointed. God must be trusted to open doors.

Paul and Silas were in jail — praying, singing and worshiping God. They did not look for a way to escape yet…

Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. (Acts 16:26)

Even then, the opportunity was not for escape but to lead the jailer and his household to faith in Jesus Christ. We have an Almighty God who can open literal doors as well as doors of opportunities to do His will.

As for decision making, He says:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5–8)

This is an incredible promise even though it comes with a caveat; I must ask in faith that God will answer. Why do I need to be certain? Because God’s answers are often not what I expect. What if I wanted wisdom for buying a new car and He told me not to buy a car at all? What if I wanted wisdom for other choices and His choice was not on my list? This happens, and I must not let my I-wants clash with His wisdom because, as these verses say, my I-wants will mess with my faith. When they are strong, I tend to assume they come from God and make me think He will do whatever I want. Again, this calls for prayer but also a plea to be yielded to the will of God and to whatever He knows is best for me. And this is how I can pray for others — for wisdom and faith, both from God and given by His goodness.

PRAY: Lord, each day is filled with choices, never mind prayer needs that I cannot begin to do anything about, even pray specifically for because I don’t know what You want done in many situations. Surely I need wisdom in prayer as well as in taking action. Grant this to me today for all decisions, including what I need to do and what I need to avoid. May Your will be done in my life and in the lives of the people in my heart and in my prayers. And as I prayed yesterday, guide me in what to give away and what You want me to hold unto.

Doing whatever I please is not very wise . . .

Numbers 22:1–41, 1 Corinthians 5:1–6:11, Psalm 19:1–14

The story of Balaam was a considerable puzzle for me for a long time. He was asked by the king of Moab to curse the Israelites because they were a threat to him. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” (Numbers 22:4–6)

Then God came to Balaam and asked him what was going on, as if He didn’t know! Obviously, He wanted to hear Balaam’s description. Balaam replied, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.’ ”

At that, God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” (Numbers 22:9–12)

This was not the end of the story. Balaam did say no, but Balak sent his men back to him and asked him again. So Balaam asked God about it, and God said, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.”

Then the narrative says, “Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him.” (Numbers 22:20–22)

God told him not to go, then told him to go, then was angry with him because he went? For a long time, that did not make sense to me, but I think I understand now. The second time Balaam asked God should not have happened. God already told the man not to go, but He knew this man’s heart. If Balaam had been loyal to the Lord, he would never have asked the second time. So God tested him by saying yes to see what he would do. Balaam went.

But an angel blocked his way, and after realizing he was not to go, Balaam seemed more yielded to the command of God. God let him go at this third time, but this man was not trustworthy.

Other passages say that Balaam actually was willing to do the cursing. The Moabites “hired Balaam against them to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.” (Nehemiah 13:1–2) The NT said Balaam was in error, perhaps because he thought he could do whatever he pleased, regardless of what God says.

He isn’t the only person ever to be like that. Actually, we are all like that. We go our own way. But thankfully, God changes lives. Paul wrote to the immature Christians at Corinth a letter of rebuke. Part of it says . . .

“I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers! Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:5–11)

Paul’s accusation of ‘shame on you’ turned into a warning about deception, then a reminder of what God had done for them. They had been guilty of much, but now they were cleansed, set apart, justified — because of Jesus Christ. Paul’s point was that those who profess faith will demonstrate their faith with changed lives. We may start out slow, but God is in the transformation business. Even if nothing else works, the Spirit of God does work.

Certainly, His working is quicker and more effective when I cooperate, but I realize that many times I’m blind to what needs to be done. I might think my biggest flaw is grumbling and He shows me something else. The psalmist also knew this tendency to be blind to our own sins. He prayed, “Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:12–14)

This last line is often my lifeline. I’m slow to get it, like Balaam, and easily deceived like the people at Corinth. I’m also totally grateful for Jesus. He is my Savior — I most certainly cannot see my own sins, never mind save myself!

God answers prayer, even if He says NO

Last week’s assignments included a post to a student discussion board in which we were to answer one of two imaginary problems. I submitted my answer, fully expecting the marking professor to give it a critique. At the same time, I was feeling discouraged about life in general and asked God to encourage me. This week, two classmates sent emails about my post. Both were blessed by it, and one said he was going to “steal, repackage, and recycle” it in his own ministry.

For those who think prayer is “wishful thinking” or auto-suggestion, I say, “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry” and “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:15-17)

(Before going farther on the topic of prayer, being righteous is first forensic. I can claim it because of God’s grace; He imputed the righteousness of Jesus Christ on me. Because He died for my sin, was buried, and rose again, God declares His people justified, righteous. It isn’t about anything we earn or deserve; salvation is first a gift from God even as He afterwards works in us to conform us to that imputed righteousness. This is totally astonishing and a blessing I do not deserve.)

Answered prayer is another undeserved blessing. My Father hears me like a daddy hears his little one. He shows me how to pray, and shows me that it is His delight to take care of my needs, even the need to be encouraged.

Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25–30)

Jesus invites me to bring to Him the burdens of life. He hears and answers. Sometimes He says wait. Sometimes He says no if my request is not His will or will not be a good thing. Sometimes He says yes, even yes, yes, in the most resounding way. But whatever He says, key to answered prayer is accepting His answers.

As His crucifixion drew near, Jesus prayed asking “if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.” He was in great distress for He was about to bear the wrath of His Father against the sin of the world, all of it, sin by every person, and sin for all time. I know what I feel like when I sin. I cannot imagine the weight of sin that Jesus anticipated.

No wonder He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” No wonder He was disappointed that the disciples slept instead of supporting Him with their prayers. No wonder that He prayed this request several times. Yet in the end, they slept and He, sweating drops of blood, willingly faced the answer alone. (Matthew 26:36–46)

The Bible says I have never shed blood resisting sin like Jesus did. My problems and discouragements are not worthy to be compared to His. My on-and-off loyalty to the Father is a joke alongside the life of the Son. He was willing to hear God say no.

With that, His three-time request was answered, but not like anyone would expect or want. How could the will of God be suffering and death for the only righteous person who ever lived? But it was. To the cry of Jesus, His only begotten Son, the Father did say NO, it is not my will to deliver You . . .  

It was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:10)

Sometimes God does not seem to answer my prayers. Of course, I’m looking for a yes, not a wait or a no, but I am encouraged that God knows more than I do about the situation I’m in, even the circumstances of every child of His, any person on my prayer list. If He remains silent, I’m glad that He can use all things for good and that even the setbacks of life will fit into His plans. After all, out of the “unanswered” prayer of Jesus came salvation for humanity — for all who believe, even for me.