When God Says No

“No” is a word we do not like to hear, especially from God. Whether through Scripture itself, a closed door, Biblical counsel from a godly friend or even just the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, every Christian will at some point receive a “no” in response to a specific prayer.

Amy Carmichael’s first experience with prayer as a child resulted in a no. Through it, she learned a valuable lesson. As she wrestled with the question “does prayer even work?” the Lord impressed another question upon her heart:

“Isn’t no an answer?”

The truth is, there are times when God in His wisdom and love tells His children no. Even Paul experienced this, and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, recorded it for our benefit in 2 Corinthians.

The context of the account is the topic of dreams and revelations. Paul vividly contrasts glorying in such things with that which God had taught him to glory in by giving him a “no” answer:

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Notice that Paul took this “thorn” to the Lord three times. It is not wrong to pray persistently. In fact, Jesus Himself gave the parable of the importunate widow to teach us that we ought “always to pray, and not to faint.” (Luke 18:1)

God is pleased by our persistence, for it is an act of obedience.

However, continuing to ask God for something after He has given a clear answer is not an act of obedience, but a subtle form of rebellion.

It was this kind of rebellion which was displayed by the Israelites in Numbers 11, when they complained about God’s bountiful provision of manna. They wanted meat, and they would not settle for what God had already provided.

Thus, God sent quail, and with it, judgement for their rebellion in the physical form of a plague (v.33). That wasn’t the only consequence of the people’s rebellion, though. Psalm 106 tells us,

“They soon forgat His works; they waited not for His counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” (vv.13-15)

When we choose to pester God to change His answer, we are inviting leanness into our souls. We are choosing rebellion over obedience to His will and exchanging the fulness of Christ for the emptiness of sin.

Usually, a “no” from God feels devastating. Even if we want to respond in obedience and submission to God’s will, our own will won’t give in without a fight.

That is partly why this passage is so encouraging: it shows us that God’s “no” answers are for a good purpose, and that He Himself promises to give us grace and strength for whatever He calls us to go through.

How did Paul get to the place where he could glory in the infirmity God refused to remove? He chose to believe the words of Christ, allowing truth to transform his perspective. Instead of viewing the painful infirmity as a negative, he chose to see it as a way in which the power of Christ could be wielded on his behalf.

Once Paul had allowed the truth of God’s sufficient grace and strength to change his perspective on this one infirmity, God began to use that same truth to transform Paul’s perspective on reproaches, necessities, persecution and distresses for Christ’s sake.

Whatever circumstances Paul faced in his own weakness, he learned to see as opportunities for Christ’s strength to be made perfect, or complete.

“for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

When we understand that God’s grace is sufficient, that our trials are designed to be met with His strength, not our own, we can face a “no” with hope and trusting submission to the will of God.

As Amy Carmichael learned, “no” is an answer: and an indescribably kind one, at that, for it comes straight from the heart of our loving Father, informed by His omniscience and especially designed for our good.

“I know, O Lord, that Thy judgements are right, and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.” Psalm 119:75