When the Answer is No:
Have you ever cried out in frustration—Lord do you even hear my prayers? When you’re in the depth of the valley, it can be easy to think He is neither with us, nor is His plan good. I’ve been there too.
You ask: why won’t He do it, if we know and believe He can? This question is not entirely rooted in a lack of faith, it’s rooted in a lack of trust. The issue is—we treat God like a cosmic vending machine that we have power to control. When we realize He is outside of our control, we question whether or not He is who He says He is— mighty to save, good, a wonderful counselor, righteous, and holy. But I assure you He is all of these things, and so much more.
I remember once, I was weary and asked my husband this very question — why the Lord didn’t answer my prayers. Prayers for people I love to be saved, prayers for healing for my family, and on and on the list goes. I’m sure we all have lists like this, full of good things we are waiting patiently for. In his wisdom, my husband turned to me and said “Tayler, no is still an answer.” That has stuck with me.
Much like how a parent teaches their children to reject materialism, to take care of their health, or to endure challenging situations and people…. God, our Father, must tell us no. If he never said no, we would turned into entitled, spoiled children who forget their need for a savior in the first place.
Even still, He wouldn’t say no, if it wasn’t ultimately for our good and His glory. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:17). If you ever question whether the Lord is good, remember He buried His only child for you. He wouldn’t have done that to make you suffer for no reason. We must trust there is a good and eternal plan, even when the answer is at present, no. And truly, it may not even be “no,” it could be “not yet.” But if you do not trust Him in the “not yet” it will never become the “here and now.” We must not lose hope that a miracle is coming, but we also must not blame God if it does not. There is a plan beyond what we can immediately see.
It’s not that Lord does not care, it’s not that He does not hear or even answer your prayer; rather, it’s that he can and sometimes will, say no, like any good Father does.
When I consider God as our father (a title He chose!) I think too about how much behind-the-scene work goes into caring for children. I’m just in the baby stage, but already the laundry, dishes, feeding, basic housework, etc. is all-consuming. In a spiritual sense, God is our father working out all of these things for us. He may not do our laundry, but he’s exchanging our rags for garments of praise, and a robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:3 and 10). He may not wash our dishes, but he’s preparing a table for us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:5). He chose the title, “Father” for a reason. What an honor it is to be His child and to relinquish control to Him. His plan is good, and He cares for every detail. He hears your prayers, and knows just what you need. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called Children of God.” (1 John 3:1).
