Can God say no to you? It does sound ironic that the one who has promised to give you anything you ask for in his name can suddenly say no to you. Is it even possible? I am sure you would like to know.
When God says no to your prayers, then something must be wrong somewhere, and the wrong must not be from God. Saul, the king of Israel, committed a sin against God. He ignored God’s word and the judgement against him.
“And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him”
1 Samuel 13:8-10
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Saul was more interested in his job, position, and life than in his relationship with God. Hence, he was not perturbed by his outright disobedience of God’s specific instructions. Worse still, he didn’t think he needed to apologize, but instead, he kept to his daily office routine and normal way of praying. Of course, God ignored all his prayers.
He kept occupying the throne without remorse, prayer of repentance, or fasting, to be restored back to God. His relationship with God was broken, and God was not happy with him. Unfortunately for him, he had many enemies who were eager to see him destroyed, and yet he was not at peace with God, the only one who could save him. Regardless, he still went to battle. He was a very stubborn and self-willed person.
This is how many Christians step into the field of battle without redeeming themselves while demanding victory from God. Many decisions you make, businesses you venture into, marriages you dive into, and a host of other things have been done without God. Yet when things go south, you seem to be able to locate God then, and your prayers are devoid of genuine repentance. All you need is a solution to your problem. Personally, I don’t think it gets any scarier than that. Can you imagine calling on God and not getting any answer from him?
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Just like the fear of the enemy made Saul remember God, that is how the fear of problems makes people remember God. Thus, whenever God keeps silent or says no to you, it is not a deliberate act to punish you or to be wicked to you. You are singlehandedly the one putting yourself in such a position.
New Wine versus Old bottle
Many people are suffering today because of their sins and past mistakes. They often complain and blame God for their misfortunes. Some focus on hunting for miracles and breakthroughs in different praying houses, neglecting the need to amend their lives and have peace with God.
These kinds of people do not have the time to settle down with the Word of God. Instead, they want to force God’s hand into providing a quick and immediate solution to their problems. They want a new wine in an old bottle. Is this you?
“Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them”
Proverbs 1:28-32
By now, you already know that sin drives God away from your life, place, and family. If you want miracles, deliverance, or breakthroughs in your life, you must first humble yourself in front of God and seek His presence. Before you pray for other things, you must confess all your sins with a true determination to forsake them before you pray for anything else. Only when your sins are dealt with, can healing and every other problem be easily dealt with.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”
2 Chronicles 7:14