No

I remember being advised to say “yes” as much as possible when parenting my children. I do think it is a positive way to engage children. There are times you can say “yes, but”. At other times the answer is clearly no.

I’ve asked the Lord to heal someone and His answer was obviously no.

I’ve asked the Lord for other things over the years and He said no.

I’ve also prayed for healing and hope, and the Lord answered with a resounding yes!

I heard someone say that the Lord would answer my prayers with yes, no or maybe.

Moses was an amazing leader and yet the Lord told him no when he asked the Lord to let him go into the promised land. Check this out….

²⁷ But go up to Pisgah Peak, and look over the land in every direction. Take a good look, but you may not cross the Jordan River. ²⁸ Instead, commission Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead the people across the Jordan. He will give them all the land you now see before you as their possession.’ (Deuteronomy 3:27-28 NLT)

I don’t think the Lord was hate-filled with His “No” to Moses. I think the Lord had another plan. It was time for a “legacy hand-off” – The leadership baton was being delivered to Joshua. Moses had mentored Joshua and prepared him to lead. The Lord’s “No” to Moses was a “Yes” to Joshua.

It still stings when the Lord tells me know, but I’ve learned that He knows things and sees things that I don’t know and can’t see.  I want the Lord to do what is best even when it’s not what I want.  I’m learning to lean into the Lord and seek to connect to His heart. I often know the answer before I ask because I know Him. I will continue to ask the Lord for things, but I’m also learning that His “wants” for me are better than my “wants”.  “No” is sometimes the best answer for me to hear from the Lord.

Pressing On!

Dwayne