155 Cardio: A Submitted Heart
Ready on the tongue of every parent is one simple word. No. When you stop and think about it, it’s probably the word that is used more than any other in rearing children.
What makes it hard, of course, is that you can’t always explain to the child why the answer is no. They don’t have the capacity to understand. And though it may anger or disappoint them, love requires us to say “no.”
The same is true with God. Sometimes our loving Father says “no” to our dreams. Even good, honorable, even Kingdom-advancing dreams.
So, how do you handle it when God says, “No”?
There are some lessons to be learned from David, the man after God’s own heart.
In 2 Samuel 7, we find that life is going great for David. His kingdom is thriving and at peace. And as David begins to reflect on all that God has done for him, he begins to dream. “Here I am living in this beautiful palace while the Ark of the Covenant sits in a tent. God deserves better than that! I want to build a great house for God, one that displays to the world the glory of Israel’s God.”
He shared his dream with the prophet Nathan who thought it was a great idea and told David to go for it.
But… Sometimes my dreams are not God’s dreams.
That night, the Lord spoke to Nathan and said: “Go tell my servant David that he is not the one to build Me a house to dwell in.”
God said, “No.”
It wasn’t because David had done anything wrong. It just wasn’t part of God’s higher plan. The Temple would be built, just not by him.
It is not wrong to dream great dreams or to pray great prayers.
When God says “No” to your dreams, don’t view it as rejection as much as redirection.
When God says “No” to your dreams, submit to His sovereignty.
No less than 5 times in his response to God’s “no,” David calls Him “Sovereign Lord.” What’s David admitting to? “You are God, and I am not. You are on the ultimate throne – not me. You have the last word, and I will accept that.”
What do you do when God says no?
Remember God’s faithfulness and recount your blessings.
Adjust your plans to fit God’s revealed promises.
Text: 2 Samuel 7
Originally recorded on August 20, 2006, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN.