We believe God answers every prayer.  Scripture teaches us to call on Him and He will answer.  But sometimes in His wisdom and purpose, His answer to us is “No.”  We never want to hear this answer, but we should see God’s denial as an opportunity to trust Him more.  Our Heavenly Father loves us deeply, and wants what is best for our lives.

What do you do when you’ve asked for a good thing, when you pray with the right motive and God says no?  What do you do when you have been overruled?  You’ve prayed and you’ve prayed and you’ve prayed and God says no.

There is an interesting story in 2 Samuel chapter seven. King David wants to build a temple for God. He wants to build a place of worship. It’s sounds like a great idea, right?

As our story begins we see things have finally come together for David.  Verse 1 says, “After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him…”

After years of danger and struggle and waiting, David is finally settled in his palace and the Lord has given him rest from all his enemies.    Things are finally good and David takes a breath and puts up his feet for a minute, he considers what his next mission or project should be.  I like it that David is purposeful.  He is a man of action.  He is busy.  There is nothing wrong with that.

It doesn’t take him long to realize what the obvious next thing should be – he has brought the ark of God to Jerusalem and now he should build a permanent place to house it.  

In verses 2 and 3 he speaks with Nathan the prophet:  “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”  Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

Nathan is David’s advisor and confidant.  He responds immediately with his approval and blessing.  The interesting thing here is that it seems that neither David nor Nathan thought to ask God what He thought about the proposal.

Both of them must have thought….Why would God be against such a good idea?”  What would be more appropriate at this point in Israel’s history and David’s life than to build God a temple?

God’s response - Vs. 5-7 – ““Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’

What is God’s answer to David?  No.  What you are asking for is good.  It’s honorable.  Your motives are right.  But it simply is not my will.  

Sometimes the Lord will step in and say no to our plans. There are many ways, of course, that God can stop or redirect us. Sometimes it's through the warning of a respected friend. Sometimes it might be through a lack of peace in our lives. 

We can respond to God’s answer of no by becoming upset, discouraged, bitter, frustrated, or confused.  You can allow it to cause you to doubt God and his Word.  You can respond with less faith and become distant from God.  

Or, you can respond with mature faith and be like David.  David didn’t doubt.  He didn’t question.  He didn’t cry.  He didn’t ask “why” God?  He didn’t stop believing, trusting, or following.

Today’s Challenge: Instead of focusing on what God would not do, David focused on what God has already done.  This is gratitude.  Today remember God knows what is best for your life. Trust him and be grateful.