WHEN GOD SAYS "NO"

Have you ever…

wanted something very earnestly?
had something that you felt was very important?
had something that you had the means and ability to do?
But at the end you were not allowed or permitted to?

Occasionally, we come across situations like these.

In school, perhaps it is an idea you came up with for the group project that was not taken up, instead someone else’s was.
At work, perhaps it is a job / role that you felt you deserved but you were passed over.
At church, perhaps it is an area that you feel you have a lot to contribute to but have never been called to serve.
Personally, perhaps it involves seeking a relationship that doesn’t come (yet).

For me, an instance of this happened during my NS days. I greatly desired to go to Officer Cadet School (OCS), probably because I grew up under my late father’s influence (and possibly because I wanted to be “just like dad”). When I wasn’t selected for OCS, I was devastated – recalling the heartbreak and disappointment of the time still brings back some of those raw feelings to this day.

We see a similar situation occur to David recorded in 2 Samuel 7 (see also 1 Chronicles 17).

What was David’s desire?

“And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.” (2 Samuel 7:1-2)

When David was finally enjoying some peace, he desired to build a “house” for the Ark of God, which is symbolic of God’s own presence. He mentioned this plan to Nathan, and initially Nathan was supportive of this, even justifying it by saying “for the Lord is with thee” (2 Samuel 7:3).

What was God’s response?

Well, God gave His immediate response (through Nathan) from 2 Samuel 7:4-17:

God had not dwelt in any house (but rather a tent) since He had brought the children of Israel out from Egypt (v4-6).
God had not made any such indication or request for a house in all the places that He had moved with the children of Israel (v7).
God was the one who appointed David, established David over His people, and brought peace from all the enemies during David’s reign (v8-11).
God promised to establish the kingdom and throne of David’s seed after his passing; he would build a house for God’s name (v12-17).

Effectively, God said “no” to David’s request, but He did promise that David’s seed wouldbuild Him a house for His name. This indeed was fulfilled in David’s immediate heir, Solomon.

How did David take the “No”?

David, the man after God’s own heart, did the following:

1. Acknowledged his place relative to God (v18-21).

We are lowly, but God is almighty.
We are the servants, while God is LORD.
What more can David say to God?

2. Acknowledged God’s greatness and His work (v22-24).

God is great and there is none like God.
There is no other nation like Israel which was redeemed by God to be His people through miraculous signs and wonders

3. Acknowledged Submission to God’s will (v25-29)

David affirmed his submission to God’s authority (“do as you have spoken”).
David affirmed his belief in the power of God’s word (“your words are true”).
David affirmed his faith in the certainty of God’s promises (“For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever”).

David had all the power available at his hands at that time to carry out the task; but he knew that if this was not in alignment with God’s purpose, he would not succeed.

So, the next time when God says “no” to us, may we have the same submission, belief, and faith in God as David did. May we choose to respond as David had, acknowledging our submission to God’s superiority, work and will in our lives.

Food for Thought:

God made a “triple-forever” promise to David (2 Sam 7:13, 16):

“He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever… And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.”

This also has a second fulfilment at the coming of Christ.
Christ is the seed that comes in the genealogy of David (2 Samuel 7:12 cf Matthew 1:5,25).
“I will be his father, and he shall be my son.” – this is the same wording found in Hebrews 1:5.
This kingdom shall last into eternity (“for ever”, and “for ever”, and “for ever”).

While God did not permit David to build a physical temple for Himself, David’s honour was far greater in God’s plan by being part of the genealogy of the Messiah. I would argue that this would be a much greater purpose than the building of the temple (Acts 17:24-25).

Ask Yourself:

What did David desire to do in 2 Sam 7?
How did David take God’s answer of “No”?
Let me reflect on my obedience and submission to God’s will. What can I do better?