When God Says No

2 Cor. 12:7-10

7-5-09

Albertville

 

If there’s one word in our language that we don’t like to hear, it would be the word “No”. From the time that we were two-year-olds up until the present the word “no” kind of burns in our ears when we hear it. Even though it is a very small word, it expresses more than most. It draws boundries around us, it limits us and prevents us from doing what we really want to do. “No, you can’t have more Ice Cream” “No, you can’t run in the track meet because you are not fast enough.” “No you can’t buy that car because you don’t have enough money. “No, you will not get better this problem that you have in your body is chronic, this difficulty that you didn’t have before will remain with you now until you depart from this world” We don’t like this word “no.”

In particular, we don’t like it when no comes from the mouth of the Lord. Somewhere along the line we pick up the notion that our Lord is some sort of genie, who is supposed to grant us our wishes. But when we discover that he has a will of his own. That he has plans that may differ greatly from our own vision of the future, we are disturbed.

In the text for today, the apostle Paul becomes very personal with us. He opens wide his heart and reveals his own struggle when God said “no” to him. Paul had some kind of physical ailment which he referred to as a "thorn" in the flesh. There have been many Bible scholars who have tried to figure out what what he meant when he said he had a thorn in the flesh. Most believe it was his eyesight. But it is really not important that we know what Paul's problem was. It shall suffice to say that it was some physical problem that stuck with him, like a thorn; Like a splinter that festers and stings, and cries out to be removed and yet is not.

Indeed, there are many ailments that are just like that. There's any number of problems that you may have that could rightly be called thorns in the flesh. And not just in the flesh, but upon the ground as well. There are many things in our lives that simply irritate us and bother us to no end. And sometimes there’s nothing we can to do change them.

So, like Paul we turn to the Lord in prayer. We say, "Lord this problem is really bothering me. Get rid of it, take it out of my life. Set me free!” And often he does. The Lord often does say “yes” to our cries for help. But then again, He’s a loving father, and sometimes in wisdom, foresight and understanding that surpasses our own, he says no.

And says “no”, it can really put you into a tailspin sometimes. One common way that people respond when God says no is with unbelief. “If there really was a God and God really loved me,” they assert “he would say yes” But that’s not even logical. God does not cease to exist because he says no. God does not cease to love you because he says no.

When a father says “no” to his child does the father disappear? When a Father says “no” to his child, does that mean he has lost all love for her? Of course not. Most of the time, there is more love in the word "no" than any other word in the our language. But of course, children don’t always see the love behind the word while their being raised. Its only later, when they become parents themselves, that they understand. And since all of us are children of God, we don’t always see the Love behind the word no. But here, in the text, this great text we can see it. Paul shares it with us.

The Lord came to Paul, answered his prayer and said, "My Grace is sufficient for you." In other words, he said, “No Paul, I will not heal you, but I have something better.” That’s the way it always is when God says no to one of his children. He’s got something better in mind.

Consider Jesus, the father said no to him. Remember that? The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said “Father, if it is your will take this cup from me.” And the Father said “No, my son...I have something better for you....you will go to the cross, you will suffer and die.” If we were to interview Jesus now, would he say that he is happy about the decision that his Father made. Well, we don’t have to interview him, we have his victorious words spoken to John the apostle in Revelation. He says “I am the first and the last. I am the living one! I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever.” There would be no resurrection of Jesus without his death. There would be no Easter without Good Friday! Don’t you see? The Father had to say no. Jesus had to suffer. What would Jesus be to us if he had not suffered? He’d just be another man. At best, he’d be a visitor from heaven who bailed on us when the going got tough. Thank God he was obedient, thank God he tuned his will to his father’s will and accepted the cross. For in his suffering our Savior’s purpose was fulfilled. it was the suffering that made Jesus the Savior of the world. His Father said “no.”

In many ways, our lives follow the course laid out by Jesus. We will be asked to suffer. He will say “no” to us. But with the “no” there will come the promise of his all sufficient grace. Not just the grace to endure the suffering, but the promise of glory beyond our wildest imagination. If I were to interview any of you, on the day of resurrection about the trouble you’ve been asked to endure right now. You would whole-heartedly agree with your Heavenly Father’s decision to say “No”. Even as Jesus whole heartedly agrees with his Father’s decision to allow his death on the cross.

Paul refereed to his trouble as a Messenger of Satan. That’s really what all trouble on earth is. We live in a world that has been severely troubled by Satan. Jesus even refers to Satan as the Prince of this world. The rotten stuff that happens to us, find’s it’s origins with him. But now look what God is doing? He’s defeating Satan with his own thorns! He uses the evils of this world for our Good!

For what happens to a believer when trouble erupts in their life? They draw nearer to God. Any Christian will tell you that in the midst of trouble, they will reach out to God with more earnestness than ever before. They will pray to him. They will listen more attentively. Their faith will grow in leaps and bounds. Satan launches his flaming arrows intending to wound us, but God melts those arrows into our shield. And so the evil one, unwittingly makes us stronger, and drives us closer to our Lord.

The Apostle Paul put it this way “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, For when I am weak, then I am strong. AMEN