5 min read
In the walk of faith, every Christian will face moments that test their understanding and trust in God’s sovereignty. These are the times when our prayers, filled with hope and conviction, seem to echo into silence, leaving us with more questions than answers. A recent, heart-wrenching experience within our church community brought this very challenge to the forefront of our spiritual journey.
A beloved friend, a dedicated servant of God and a fellow writer, was suddenly taken ill. In response, our church did what believers are called to do in times of crisis: we prayed fervently, fasted, and sought God’s intervention with unwavering faith. We stood on the promises of Scripture, believing in God’s power to perform miracles, to heal, and to restore. Yet, despite our prayers, our friend passed away. This outcome left us grappling with profound disappointment and confusion. It seemed as though our prayers had gone unanswered, our faith unrewarded.
In seeking solace and understanding, I turned to the book of Job, specifically chapter 38, where God addresses Job’s questions about his suffering. The passage is a humbling reminder of our limited perspective. God’s response to Job is not one of direct comfort but of perspective. He questions Job about the creation of the earth, the dawn of each day, and the origins of rain, highlighting the vastness of divine wisdom compared to human understanding.
This scripture served as a poignant reminder that our knowledge and comprehension are finite. The mysteries of God’s decisions, the ‘why’ behind His ‘no’, are beyond our grasp. We weren’t there when He laid the earth’s foundation, nor do we command the morning or the rain. How then can we question the Creator’s wisdom or feel entitled to a different answer to our prayers?
Despite the pain of not understanding God’s ways, I find comfort in knowing His nature is inherently good. His mercies are new every morning, and His grace is sufficient for us. We are reminded in Scripture of our own unworthiness and God’s unfathomable kindness towards us. As David reflects in Psalm 8:4, considering the majesty of creation, he marvels at God’s mindfulness of humanity.
The world and its workings are far beyond our understanding. Even John the Baptist, who devoted his life to preparing the way for Christ, faced moments of doubt. This serves as a powerful testament to the fact that faith is not the absence of questioning but the trust in God’s character and promises amidst our uncertainties.
When God says ‘no’, it is not a rejection but a redirection. It’s an invitation to trust in His wisdom, His timing, and His plan, even when it diverges from our own desires. God’s ‘no’ is often a protective measure, a lesson in patience, or a pathway to a greater yes we cannot yet see.
In moments of disappointment and confusion, we are called to lean not on our own understanding but to trust in the One who sees the end from the beginning. The journey of faith is peppered with moments of divine ‘no’s, each serving as a cornerstone in building a deeper, more resilient trust in God. He cares for us immeasurably and holds us in the palm of His hand, guiding us through every yes, no, and wait with perfect love and wisdom.