When the Answer Is No

The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him. —Luke 8:38-39 NLT

Yet, Jesus said, “No.” Ever been in that sort of situation? I have. I’ve made requests that were good and noble and really, really right from my point of view. I’ve asked, not selfishly even, for what I believed was for the good of someone else. Yet, the answer to what I wanted was … “no.” What can we learn from this story that will help when we don’t get what we asked from the hands of a good God who does indeed give good gifts?

Over and over in the Bible, God invites us to come to Him. Like children, we have the privilege of asking our Abba Father for what we think is best. And, like all good parents, God sees further than we do and answers what He knows is ultimately best. So, let’s not be afraid to ask.

The man’s desire was to follow Jesus, and when Jesus said “no,” He had an alternative for the man. Jesus told him to go home, back to his family. I can imagine this man’s mama, if she were living, and the agony of losing her son to demons and mental anguish. If I were his mom, and he was finally healed and in his right mind, I would definitely want him to come home. I would need to see him, hug him, touch him, relearn him now that he was well. I believe Jesus’s decision was full of kindness for a family who had lost their loved one for a season. I am glad Jesus made him go home! God created us on purpose for a purpose. If He closes a door or denies us something we want, He has a purpose for us in the pain.

The healed man had a great opportunity to share what had happened to him and to give full credit to the Lord Jesus. I am so proud of this guy. Jesus instructed him to go home and tell his family what God had done, and he did. And then, he told the whole town! Because of his obedience, an entire village had the opportunity to trust in the Lord for their salvation. All because one man obeyed and served instead of pouting and being angry when God said “no” to his request.

So, what about us? I really don’t like it when I am thwarted in my plans, which I am always quite confident are good ones [haha!]. However, will I praise and honor God even when I don’t get my way? If I choose anger and resentment, I close myself off from the only One who fully satisfies, the only One who knows me completely because He made me and is within me. With that kind of attitude, I sit in bitterness and self-pity, no good to anyone and certainly damaging to myself. But if I choose to praise and serve Him anyway—oh, the blessings that come! It’s easy to “have faith” when things go our way. Faith that is tested, that says “yes” to God’s “no” is a strong, enduring faith that will stand us in good stead all the days of our lives. And I do believe that kind of faith makes God smile. I think He smiled down on the healed man. Don’t you?

Father God, thank You for answering our prayers as You know best. Help us to trust You with the hard answers, knowing that You are good, and You alone see the future and how all things work together for Your great good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

 Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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