God's "No" Answers

I'm still contemplating the devotional I heard at church last night. It was so thought provoking. Do you ever think about how we so easily praise and thank the Lord when good things happen? The words just spill right out, "Thank you, Lord!" for safety in a certain situation, or good results back from the doctor, or a job promotion, etc.  But as our leader so eloquently shared last night, what about when God clearly gives us a "no" to something we may have specifically prayed for, like getting bad news from the doctor, or having a desired job opportunity given to someone else, and so on? What is our response then?  Do we still praise and thank our heavenly Father for directing our lives even when we think it doesn't make any sense? Do we remain trusting and thankful to the One who is all knowing and sees the "big picture"?  It's so difficult, isn't it?  I find myself anxiously trying to chart my own course, thinking that I know best. And when He clearly steers me in an entirely different direction or He keeps me on the current path with minimal forward progress (or so I think), I find myself questioning God, not trusting him and thanking Him for the way he's leading me.

There are many examples in scripture of people who received "no" answers from God. Last night we looked at David in II Samuel 7.  David wanted to build the temple for the Lord, but the Lord said no. David didn't understand, but his response in vs. 18 through the end of the chapter is amazing!  Verse 22 sums it up, "Therefore, you are great, O Lord God.  For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears." David sat before the Lord and praised him. Wow! I know that would not have been my response.

In my flawed human state, I am incapable of understanding all his ways. I must simply TRUST and OBEY!  Sounds simple, but oh, so hard to do. The Lord loves me beyond measure and knows what is best for my life.  I feel like I need to mull what I heard last night over in my mind and heart for a while longer. Do you ever feel that way? It is a simple truth from God's Word, but it hit me in a new way.  I was applying it to my life in a specific area and it really rebuked me. And I am very thankful for that! :)