When children ask a parent for something and the parent refuses, they often get upset. However, many times looking back, they realize the parent was right in refusing their request(s). The parent is sometimes wrong to refuse, but not usually. With God’s refusals, He is always right! He loves His children and makes no mistakes. As God’s children come to understand their Heavenly Father, they realize that He does indeed know best. As they spend much time with Him, and learn from Him and about Him, His love and wisdom give them trust in His wise refusals. They learn to trust even when the refusal is hard to accept. As they think back on His love and guidance, a gratitude for His loving care develops and grows, and they can say, as did the Psalmist in Psalm 84:11: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” In Austin Miles’ Hymn, “He Answers Every Prayer,” we are reminded: “Away with doubt, away with fear, I know that God is always near; I lay on Him my ev’ry care, for He answers ev’ry pray’r. The billows high around me roll, in His own hand He keeps my soul; in Him I trust, no matter where, for He answers ev’ry pray’r. Let storm-clouds roll above my head, they’re filled with blessings He will shed; I’ll have for these no anxious care, for He answers ev’ry pray’r. In life or death my song shall be, the mighty God still cares for me; let trials come, what need I care, for He answers ev’ry pray’r. He answers ev’ry pray’r, to some He says “Yes,” to others “No,” to some He says “Stay,” to others “Go,” in His own time and way, I know He answers ev’ry pray’r!” Selah! When we learn to trust Him fully, denials will be understood as indications of His love and care. We can rest in the reality that He knows best! Ron
Another good one, Ron. Shared.
This made me think of the times when the Lord says either “no” or “wait” because he has something so much better for us. This happened to us when we lived in New Jersey, trying to purchase property to build a house. We got a much better piece of land that was the Lord’s choice.
I also thought of the song:
IN HIS TIME
A: IN HIS TIME, IN HIS TIME
HE MAKES ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL IN HIS TIME
LORD, PLEASE SHOW ME EVERYDAY
AS YOU’RE TEACHING ME YOUR WAY
AND I’LL DO JUST WHAT YOU SAY
IN YOUR TIME.
B: IN YOUR TIME, IN YOUR TIME
YOU MAKE ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL IN YOUR TIME
LORD, MY LIFE TO YOU I BRING
MAY EACH SONG I HAVE TO SING
BE TO YOU A LOVELY THING
IN YOUR TIME
BE TO YOU A LOVELY THING
IN YOUR TIME.