Necessary No’s

Happy Monday folks!  This is your Sunday sermon recap from December 8, 2019.  Pastor came from II Corinthians 12:7-10.  I actually wrote a blog about these verses called “Thorn in My Flesh.”  You can scroll over and check it out in your spare time.

The thing I love about the Word of God is that it can hit you in a fresh way every time you hear it.  Sunday was no exception.  Pastor discussed Paul’s dilemma.  The irritant that would not go away.  Paul prayed three times in one session for God to remove the irritant.  God told him “no.”

God responds that His grace is sufficient for Paul.  That God’s strength is made perfect in Paul’s weakness.  God’s “no” still stands.  It didn’t waver.  No means no means no.  Have I shared with you that I don’t like hearing “no?”  Okay, just making sure that we’re all on the same page.

So, naturally I had an issue with hearing God tell Paul “no.”  After all, Paul is just asking for relief from something that’s hurting him.  The Bible doesn’t specifically say what’s irritating Paul.  It could be a physical issue like arthritis, or it could be a person.  You know, someone like you or me.

Aren’t we supposed to make our requests known to God?  Isn’t He a Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness?  Isn’t He the Rose of Sharon, Lily in the Valley, Bright and Morning Star?  Isn’t He my God?

So why would He say “no” to a reasonable request?  My pastor reminded me that Paul was not the only Biblical figure who had a reasonable request but was told “no.”  Anybody know about Jesus?

When Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane (I had to look up the proper spelling because it is NOT spelled the way that it sounds), He prayed to God to not have to die on Calvary’s cross for all of humanity.  Jesus acknowledged that He was willing to do whatever God asked of Him, but He still asked that this bitter cup be removed.  He didn’t just pray this prayer once.  He asked three times.  And every time, He said that He was willing to follow God’s plan.

Listen, I had never thought about this before.  I struggle with “no,” and I’m a hot mess.  Even when I think I’m walking out this Christian life decently, I’m messing it up.  And here Jesus is…perfect, sinless, without spot or wrinkle…and God tells Him “no.”

Jesus didn’t argue or act a fool.  He wasn’t rebellious.  He didn’t come up with an alternative plan for the salvation of the world.  He followed God when He got a “no.”  And I’m so grateful for that “no.”  It was a very necessary “no.”

Sunday’s sermon has truly made me appreciative of every necessary “no.”  Even when life is hurting me, irritating me, and just down right causing me pain.  God gets glory every time I stay in His will.  Some “no’s” are necessary to see if I’ll trust Him with all of me.  It is when I am weak that God is strong.  #wepreach