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Beams of sunlight poked through the trees, creating a dancing, sparkling light. An early morning fog rested in the valley. The song of a bluebird filled the air as it searched for its morning meal. We nestled into our chairs on the back porch, a warm cup of coffee in hand, and drank in the beauty.

My nephews soon awoke and gave us all the details of which dog jumped on the bed and which one was the best snuggler. As they noticed my coffee, they commented about how much they would love to have some. I offered them milk, or even a little chocolate milk, instead.

Now, why wouldn’t I let them have coffee? Their hearts desired it and they really did want it, so why not?

If you’re a parent, you know.

These two boys truly didn’t know what they were asking for. I could just see it after a cup…

“Breaking News – this just in from Cherokee Village, Arkansas where two monsters have been spotted. Terror has spread throughout the community as people have witnessed these two wreaking havoc and running amuck. Listen to what one eye-witness recalls. ‘There I was at the farmers market just trying to buy some tomatoes and chow-chow and I saw these two things run by me like a tornado! It was almost like I was seeing Tasmanian devils rip through the produce! Nothing could survive in their path! It was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen!’”

I knew caffeine wouldn’t be good for them. It wouldn’t be good for anybody should these two get their hands on a cup of coffee. So, I said no. It didn’t mean that I didn’t love them. It didn’t mean that I didn’t care about the desires of their heart. It didn’t mean that I didn’t exist. But what it did mean was that I knew what would happen, I knew what was the better option for them and I knew that saying no meant more than saying yes.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21:21-22)

You might be thinking, where is she going with this? Shouldn’t she be focusing on the part that says “If we believe, God will answer our prayer?”

Yes, that’s true! And we should! However, today we are looking at the truth within the truth.

Far too many have turned away from God because they felt they truly believed, they prayed and asked God for something, and He did not deliver. Have you been there? Maybe even now, you’re angry at God because you feel He let your loved one die even though you prayed earnestly for healing. Or you begged God for that job because you thought it would be perfect and it was given to someone else. Whatever the case may be, these instances can cause us to feel dejected, cast aside, forgotten by the Almighty. If this scripture says that if we believe He will give us all that we ask for, why don’t we get it?

According to His will.

Not receiving what you ask for doesn’t mean God doesn’t love you. It doesn’t mean He doesn’t care about the desires of your heart. It certainly doesn’t mean He doesn’t exist. But what it does mean is that He, the Creator of the Universe, the All-Knowing, All-powerful GOD, knows what would happen. He knows what is the better option for us and He knows that saying no means more than saying yes.

Why? Because He loves you. He has a plan and He knows what’s best for you that accomplishes that plan. We are limited in our knowledge and understanding, but not God.

When you pray, do exactly as Jesus said. Pray believing that God can do what we ask. But also remember to pray as Jesus did…

“Not my will but thine”.

Jesus knew God could take away the pain. He knew God could destroy every evil person, shatter the cross He was to be hung on, and stop the crucifixion before it even began. But Jesus also knew He had to put His own will aside and obey the Father.

What if Jesus hadn’t poured out His blood at Calvary? We would owe our debt in full for our sins. We would face the punishment of death and hell. We would be eternally separated from God. But God… in His infinite knowledge and power had a plan since the beginning (Genesis 3:15) and no matter what Jesus asked, our Lord and Savior knew what was best.

God isn’t keeping something good from you by saying no. He promises to deliver something even better.

Just wait.

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