“At that time I begged the LORD: Lord GOD, you have begun to show your greatness and your strong hand to your servant, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can perform deeds and mighty acts like yours? Please let me cross over and see the beautiful land on the other side of the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.
“But the LORD was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. The LORD said to me, ‘That’s enough! Do not speak to me again about this matter. Go to the top of Pisgah and look to the west, north, south, and east, and see it with your own eyes, for you will not cross the Jordan.”
Deuteronomy 3:23-27 (CSB)
Father God, no was the first word I learned and it is still the hardest word for me to hear, especially when it comes from You.
I realize that I can be like that nagging parrot in the background repeating the same request over and over and over again, foolishly acting like You are not answering me because I am not getting the answer I want to hear. And You know there are some things in my life that I, like Moses, am seeking, leaning on Your grace, Your unmerited favor, knowing that some actions of my past have disqualified me from grasping what my heart is longing for. Yet, this morning my soul hears Your “no.” And not like in other times. I hear You saying stop asking.
I must confess it is hard. As I live in this world where my brothers and sisters in Christ consistently remind me of how You are blessing them, and as I read in Your Word where You admonish me to ask and it will be given to me, I cannot help but just hold fast to them and keep asking You for them. Yet today, I hear You speaking loud and clear. “That’s enough! Do not speak to me again about this matter. My grace is sufficient for you.”
Help me today to take no for an answer.
I want to thank You for the glimmers of grace You do provide me when You say no. Like Moses, You have given me a glimpse of what You are doing around me. For sure it may not be fully and completely what I am longing for, but in it I do see You at work in and around me. I do experience the fullness of Your presence. And I do find peace in the midst of it.
Thank You for never giving up on me and giving me what is sufficient for me. Continue to show me Your love in Your “no.” In Jesus’ Name. Amen.