"Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness'"(2 Cor 12:8-9)

The Bible is a book of answered prayer. From the sobbing prayer of Hannah for a son to Hezekiah's frantic begging for more time to live, God blesses His people by doing magnificent things because they ask Him. Though the scenes of prayer differ-from the lions' den (Daniel) to the king's court (Nehemiah) to the temple mount (Solomon)-we see a faithful God consistently showering those who ask Him with good things.

Our lives, too, are full of answered prayer. How many times have we asked for God's protection, or help, or healing, only to see a resounding answer of "yes" in our lives? With regularity God gives the preacher a ready recollection, brings us back at the next appointed time, and guides, guards, and directs us. We may not notice it, or ask in sincerity, yet time and again God gives us what we need-"He is kind to the unthankful and evil"(Luke 6:35).

What about when God says "no"? To be certain, God says "no" from time to time. In Gethsemane, Jesus cried out to His Father, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will"(Matt 26:39). The cup of suffering-the same cup He promised James and John would drink of (Matt 20:23)-was the subject of Jesus' plea, and He desired that He not have to drink it (Matt 26:42). However, Jesus was allowed to suffer, telling Peter, "Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?"(John 18:11). God's answer to Jesus' request was a simple "no". Paul was given a thorn in the flesh, "a messenger of Satan to buffet me"(2 Cor 12:7). He asked three times, yet Jesus' answer was "no"-"And He said to me, 'My strength is made perfect in weakness'"(2 Cor 12:9). After David's adultery resulted in a child, God struck the child and made him sick. "David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground"(2 Sam 12:16). God's answer? No. The child died. It is clear that, even for godly people, God's answer to prayer is sometimes "no". What should we conclude from this?

When God says "no," it doesn't mean He doesn't hear. Because we don't hear an audible "no," we often doubt the effectiveness of our prayers and whether God heard us at all. Jesus' example in Gethsemane proves the flaw in this logic. The Hebrew writer tells us that "when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear"(Heb 5:7). Jesus was heard, but the answer was still "no"! God hears His Son-and hears all the petitions of His people-yet still reserves the right to decide what He will do! The fact that God Himself records these prayers clearly demonstrates that He hears them, and that at times He justly chooses a different course than the one we have asked.

When God says "no," He may be saying "wait a while". We often foolishly think God has said "no" when He doesn't act immediately, or on our timetable. Perhaps God chooses to grant our request for a mate, or help through affliction, or the salvation of souls, but just not yet! In his Revelation, John sees martyrs who "cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?'"(Rev 6:10). The answer? "And it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer"(Rev 6:11). Rather than sulking or complaining at the injustice of God's answer, we should consider that God is not bound by time as we are, and that "with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day"(2 Pet 3:8). Be patient. "Wait on the Lord!"(Ps 27:14).

When God says "no," He knows best. He knew that Paul's thorn in the flesh was better for him, helping him to see the true power of Christ and humble him. He knew that David's sin had caused God's enemies to blaspheme him, and that such a child could not rule. And though things were more difficult in the short-term for both men, God denied their requests because He knew best! While we see only our inconveniences, pain, and troubles, God sees all mankind. While we want relief, God "works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure"(Phil 2:13). We may not understand how this course is best, but we can trust our God! He will do what is best for us, for His cause, and for the salvation of souls! If God can tell His own Son that He must suffer and will not be delivered, how dare we shake our fist at God for telling us no! Trust your God! He knows best!

Most of all, we need the perspective of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. When given the ultimatum of "worship idols or burn," they said something incredible: "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up"(Dan 3:17-18). God is able to help, able to deliver, able to bless-but if not, we will still obey Him! We must stand with them and say that our faith in God does not depend on what He does for us! We will always serve Him, we will continue to ask Him, we will praise His name-even when He says "no"!___Jacob Hudgins