Today, we are going to look at the third and last reason I believe God sometimes says no to a prayer – saying “no” will bring Him more glory. Paul is a prime example of this. In 2 Corinthians 12, we learn that Paul had a thorn in his flesh. There has been a lot of speculation as to what that thorn might have been. We are never told. Because it is irrelevant. What is important is that when Paul asked for it to be removed, God said no, and Paul continued to trust God. He continued to lean on God. He continued to praise God. Many were brought to Christ through Paul. God was even more glorified because Paul praised Him despite the thorn that caused him to suffer.
As Christians, our purpose in life is to glorify God so that others will be brought to Him. When God doesn’t answer my prayer the way I hoped, I have an opportunity in front of me to glorify Him to those around me. If I only glorify God when He says yes, what does that say to a non-believer?
I love to scroll social media and read statements like, “Praise God, my husband was healed from cancer. Praise God, my child got the scholarship and can go to college. Praise God, our house sold quickly, and we won’t be burdened with the mortgage payment when we move. Praise God, I got a raise at work. Praise God, I got the job I wanted.” I do believe those are times to praise God, and I am excited to do so.
I would also love to read statements like, “We didn’t get the news we hoped for at the doctor today. We will continue to praise God.” “The job that I desperately needed didn’t pan out. I will continue to praise God.” “My child is struggling at school. We can’t figure out why. I will continue to praise God.”
Those statements are so much harder to share publicly. We often feel as though it is our fault. We didn’t do something right. We weren’t faithful enough, we didn’t study scripture enough or pray enough and God is punishing us by not giving us what we wanted. Did I wonder what I had done wrong when my son died? Of course I did. I thought God was punishing me because I wasn’t a good enough Christian. Scripture does not support this idea at all. The truth is sometimes a “no” from God means more glory for Him than a “yes.” We don’t always know how or why. We can trust that He is in control and His will is far greater than mine.
Regardless of whether or not we get what we want, we should praise God. Psalm 34:1-3 “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”
If not getting something I wanted on earth, means one more person will join me in eternity, is it worth it? Absolutely. Will I always know the reason? Nope. I have to decide if I will trust God and praise Him in all circumstances. Won’t it be so exciting to get to Heaven and hear stories of how our trust in God brought others to Him.
Being a Christian doesn’t mean I get everything I want. It means that I have chosen to give my life to serve the One who created me, to the One who saved me. More often than not, it means that satan is going to come after me harder. When I don’t get the answer I want, my praise is even more powerful to those around me. I am a greater witness for God.
With Eyes on the Cross 