At that same time, I begged God: “God, my Master, you let me in on the beginnings, you let me see your greatness, you let me see your might—what god in Heaven or Earth can do anything like what you’ve done! Please, let me in also on the endings, let me cross the river and see the good land over the Jordan, the lush hills, the Lebanon mountains.”
_Deuteronomy 3:23-27 (MSG)
But God was still angry with me because of you. He wouldn’t listen. He said, “Enough of that. Not another word from you on this. Climb to the top of Mount Pisgah and look around: look west, north, south, east. Take in the land with your own eyes. Take a good look because you’re not going to cross this Jordan.
This refusal to give Moses what he requested is not an example of God saying ‘NO’ to believers who pray according to His will and His Word.
Some people carelessly say that God always answers prayers, but He sometimes says ‘No.’ This is a deceptive excuse for unbelief. God never has and never will say ‘No’ to any child of His, who is IN Christ Jesus, and who is sincerely praying according to the promises given in His Word.
God may say ‘no’ to people who live in unbelief and use this kind and every other kind of excuse of unbelief in prayer, but He will surely not say it to those of faith who ask, believing in the Word and the Name of Jesus Christ, according to the promises. God cannot and will not refuse to fulfill His own Word. He will meet His own obligations as His Word clearly states.
I will not violate my covenant,
_ Psalm 89:34 (RSV)
or alter the word that went forth from my lips.
When prayers are not answered disobedience and consequences are plainly involved, as was the case with Moses. God told him to speak to the rock. in anger, Moses struck the rock, directly disobeying God’s command. [Numbers 20:1-13]
Unanswered prayer can also be the result of unbelief.
And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will be done.And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
_Matthew 21:22-22
The will of God is never a question where a child of God prays according to the promises, for it is the revealed will of God for His children, who abide in Christ, to ask for what they need and desire.
And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
_Mark 11:22-24 (RSV)
And remember—your faith is a gift—not something you have to earn!
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God—not because of works, lest any man should boast.
_Ephesians 2:8-9
by Barry Bennett
Contentment Cottage 