Matthew 26:39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

So very often we get so excited about the “yes” of God. It gets to the point that we start to make that an idol. We fall into the trap of worshipping His answer and not Him. Some may wonder, how can we possibly worship His answer? Well, it is shown in our reaction when He says no. Only being joyful when we get what we wanted. See, when we worship God in spirit and in truth, we understand that whatever answer He gives is Sovereign. It’s good. It’s absolute! His answers are not designed to feel good in this futile body of ours. There will be times, more often than not, that His answer will not be comfortable. Obedience to God is not a first class seat in a luxury jet. Obedience is a deliberate choice to follow the bloody trail of Christ.

I’ve been searching for a new job for years. Off and on but nevertheless it has been two years since I have tried to leave my current job. Constantly getting emails stating, “Unfortunately we decided to go with another candidate…” or not even the courtesy of a response. Numerous interviews with either conflicting hours or great hours and no follow up. All of this to say, I did not take God’s no quite well. It seemed like punishment. Watching others get better jobs, promotions, and new beginnings made me feel left out. But one day, I decided to lay aside my way of thinking. Choosing to worship God for Who He is and not for what HE can do for me. Trusting His Goodness towards me even in my doubts. Being in awe of His Love even when I am afraid.

And so He gave me a new song. A song that sings praises of His no just as loudly as His yes! Thank You Lord that You wouldn’t let me have my desires. My desires have proven time and time again to be destructive and deadly. Deadly to Purpose, obedience, my assignment, and those connected to me. His No is also His guidance. Yes, it covers me through unseen dangers! It was a no that led Jesus to Calvary. Jesus said if it be Your Will Father, let this cup pass. God said no. Jesus denied the flesh He was wrapped in and took up His Cross. He said, “No,” when Peter retaliated in anger. It was His no that healed His enemy. There’s power in the no of God. Miracles, signs, and wonders still follow after a no. When the people of God get tired of watching creation perish and say no! Not on our watch!

Jesus no led Him to bleed for me up on Calvary. He didn’t retaliate when they mocked Him. God told His Son no, His only begotten Son. So, He could begat us through His Blood. The saving Blood of Jesus that covers us when our sins speak that we should die. God says, “NO!” God even said no when I begged Him to keep my mother here two years ago. Now that was the biggest no I have ever had to swallow thus far. Nevertheless, He showed me the bigger picture. His no to me was attached to my mom’s yes to leaving. She was ready to go. In fact, she died in her sleep. In utter shock of not watching someone die before, I urge the nurses to bring her back. They respond stating your mother said she does not want to be resuscitated. I implore until they obliged. He brought her back for two days just so I could get my mind wrapped around His no. It took me two years to be at Peace with Him not keeping her here. Because His no was also His yes to my mother. Yes He is my Father, but He is also hers. God answering her request puts a smile on my heart knowing the other side of His no to me was a yes to her. A yes to her complete and forever rest in Him. So I urge you today to embrace the no of God. Evaluate all the sides of His no and not just your view. It will truly change the way you worship, meaning your life of worship, and propel you to greater works for the Kingdom of God. #KnowHisNO