This morning I went upstairs to do my usual Bible reading and devotional. At the present time I am working my way through ByTheWell4God‘s “Liars and Thieves” study. Today’s subject was supposed to be feeling inadequate. I read through the devotional text and was all set to admit my feelings of not being good enough and do an entry about that when I opened my bible and started reading the full text from God’s word. It was then that I came across these particular verses:
Then I looked at the bottom of the page in my study Bible to read the study notes and it was pointed out that God said, “No” and No really is an answer.
What?
Wait a minute- Look at that again-
Yes…. Three times Paul pleaded with the Lord and God’s response was to say, “No. My grace is good enough for you. My power will help you through this time of your weakness.”
I have been praying for quite a while now about some personal things and I have not received an answer. Or at least I THOUGHT I had not received one. Perhaps God was speaking to me and saying, in his own gentle way, “No” or “Not yet”. Maybe I am just being a bit too impatient or maybe God has a better answer for me- one that I have not considered. Either way, my focus at that very second totally switched.
Instead of thinking about being inadequate I found myself focusing on God as my father, gently taking my hand and saying, “No, my child. I know best.”
Yes, indeed he does!
And with that….. here is today’s entry in my faith journal:
It has nothing to do with inadequacies, but it does serve as a reminder to me that sometimes God really does say, “No” and that too IS AN ANSWER!
Renewal and Refuge 