Grace Notes // When We Were Kings Week 12
What If God Says No?
Written by Keli Miller
“God’s ‘no’ carries more peace than man’s ‘yes’.” - Pastor Chris Moerman
This past Sunday we concluded our series through the book of 1 Kings. Pastor Chris summed up the whole series perfectly in the sentence above; “God’s ‘no’ carries more peace than man’s ‘yes’.”
The story of 1 Kings is a story of what happens when we tell God that what he’s planned for us isn’t enough. Israel was supposed to be a nation set apart, a nation without a king but governed by God. God’s plan was to be their sole provider and leader, but the people wanted a king, so God conceded to their desires. It was an almost constant downhill tumble from good, to decent, to bad, to horrific. Sure there were some shining moments thanks to King David and Josiah. But ultimately one after another these kings fell short.
Time and time again humanity has fallen into the trap of treating God like a genie. Of wanting his blessing without any sacrifice. King Ahab, was definitely no exception to this. We see this in his posture towards Micaiah. He doesn’t want to hear from anyone that is going to say no to him. He firmly believes that only by having everything he wants, when he wants it, that he’ll experience peace and happiness.
The thing about God’s “no” though, is that it still carries the gift of peace.
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing
from those who do what is right. - Psalm 84:11 NLT
The Lord will withhold no good thing. This verse doesn’t affirm the prosperity gospel the way we would like it to. However, it does affirm that if God says no, we can trust that it is for an eternal purpose and that he isn’t withholding to punish us. Our gracious God isn’t a god of punishment but intentional discipleship.
“...present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Phillipians 4:7
When we present our requests to God are we listening for a word of truth or merely a word of agreement? Philippians 4 promises us that with each request we make, God’s peace will be with us, even if we don’t understand. Coming to God humbly in prayer, with a heart ready to listen changes things. It shifts the holds that our desires have on our heart. His transcending peace has the power to change our perspective.
We don’t have to fear his no, because even as we wait for it, we are promised his peace. His peace that will guard our hearts in seasons of waiting or disappointment.
In the Word
1 Kings 22
Philippians 4:5-7
James 4:8
Processing
What are specific prayers/requests you have in this season? Write them out and get specific about what you are longing for.
Check your heart. What has your posture been with each of these requests? Have you been listening to God for a word of truth or a word of agreement? What do you feel God has said about each of these?
Surrender: Spend some time earnestly bringing each of these things to the lord. Lay them at his feet and listen. Ask for a word of truth for each circumstance.
Community: Bring your desires to your community. Share your requests and desires with those who you are doing life with. Invite them into the listening and discerning process. Ask them to join you in prayer.