When God Says No

Matthew 26:39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

My dear friend recently lost her battle with cancer. A battle she fought heroically for the last couple years. Surgery, radiation, chemo. Fatigue, weakness, hair loss. And prayer, lots of prayer. I prayed every day that “this sickness would not end in death.”

So how do we respond when in spite of our faith, our tears, our pleas, God says “No.” My friend loved Jesus more than anything. She spread his love and light wherever she went. Even when her health took a sharp downturn, she proclaimed the goodness and faithfulness of God.

Why did God say “No” to our prayers?

But scripture reveals a number of places where God says “No.”

• Abraham grew tired of waiting for a son with Sarah, so he asked God to let Ishmael be his covenant heir. God said “No” (Genesis 17:18-19).
• Moses prayed he would be able to cross the Jordan and enter the long-awaited land of promise. God said “No” (Deuteronomy 3:25-28).
• David pleaded with God not to take the life of the infant he had with Bathsheba. God said “No” (2 Samuel 12:16-23).
• Paul asked repeatedly for the Lord to remove the thorn from his flesh. God said “No” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• But the most significant refusal in all history happened at Gethsemane when the Son of God asked if possible, to let the cup pass from him. God said “No” (Matthew 26:39). Had he said yes, you and I would have no hope.

Jesus was prepared for the “No.” And he shows us how to respond when our desire doesn’t sync with God’s plan: “nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus put his complete trust in God. He laid his desire at God’s feet, knowing his way superseded all other ways. He knew God is good all the time, no matter the circumstance.

Maybe that’s the real question unanswered prayer forces us to face. Do we continue to believe God is good? That he always works for our best even when we don’t understand? Although the cup didn’t pass from my friend, I know what she would say….

God is still good.