Sometimes God Says "No"
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· 6 viewsUnanswered prayers, or at least prayers that God seems not to answer, are something we all encounter. What does Scripture say about these?
Notes
Transcript
7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Introduction
Introduction
Kids ask the craziest questions
"Shopping at our local supermarket, my 3 year old (at the time) looks around, and suddenly asks, at the only volume he knows: 'Daddy, are these all those stupid people?'"
"What happens if you throw a tomato at the sun?"
My son asked me if the letter “W” starts with “D” and I can’t stop thinking about it.
“How do snails work?”
“Why did you say grandma was annoying?”
“Can you put that girl baby back in and get me a brother?”
“Why don’t babies come out of your mouth? It would be a lot easier!”
“Why don’t frogs eat cheese?”
“Mummy, why does your forehead crease?”
Then there’s the ultimate question...
“Can I have........?”
When This question is asked, there’s only one answer kids are wanting to hear:
YES!!
Adults are no different. When we inquire of the Lord, we to0 want to hear him say “yes”, but does He? Let’s look at the Scriptures to see what the Bible says...
Asking, again and again
Asking, again and again
Paul, the great evangelist, asked not once but 3 times for Jesus to intervene
No, but that’s not all
No, but that’s not all
Jesus said I won’t resolve your situation, but I’ll give you grace and strength in the middle of it
Boasting rather than complaining
Boasting rather than complaining
Once Paul heard from Jesus, he quit complaining and starting praising
Conclusion
Conclusion
Once Paul understood how Jesus worked, he no longer sought relief; He sought Jesus.