• Being told “no” is not easy.

    • Kids don’t like “no” and neither do adults.

  • Times in the Bible when God answered petitions with “yes”:

    • Exodus 32; Numbers 14 – Moses interceded for the Israelites

    • II Kings 20 – Hezekiah’s request to live longer

  • Sometimes God’s answer is “no.”

    • II Samuel 12:13-22 – David and Bathsheba’s baby

    • II Corinthians 12:7-10 – Paul’s thorn in the flesh

  • Considerations for prayer

    • We must be in a right relationship with God. I Peter 3:7

    • We must not ask for something that contradicts His will. James 4:3

    • Our perspective is limited by our minds. Isaiah 55:8-9

  • God told Paul “no.”

    • I Corinthians 2:3

    • Galatians 4:13-15; 6:11

  • “My grace is sufficient for you.”

    • When life doesn’t go our way, we may question our faith.

    • God may say “no” because we need reminding of what He has done for us. Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9

    • The effects of God’s grace must be seen in our lives. II Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:11-14

    • Sufficient à to be enough

    • Application: Even in being told “no,” there is good.

      • Occasion to thank God for what He has done.

  • “My power is made perfect in weakness.”

    • Is this the way the world works?

    • God works through man’s weakness to show His power.

      • Exodus 7-14: Moses vs. Pharaoh

      • Joshua 6: The walls of Jericho

      • Judges 7: Gideon and the 300 men (Judges 7:2-7, 9)

      • I Corinthians 1: The gospel message

    • Made perfect à to perform, execute, complete, fulfill. Psalms 28:8; Isaiah 40:29-31

    • Application: In weakness, insult, hardship, persecution, and calamity, show God’s power in your life.

      • Genesis 21:1-5

      • Mark 10:46-62

      • Acts 16:16ff

      • II Corinthians 11:23-29

      • Matthew 26:26-29 – Jesus’ death

  • “I am content with …”

    • Content à it seems good to me, is one’s full pleasure

      • NOT “I’ll only be happy/content if …”

      • Philippians 4:11-13

    • Isaiah 53:7 – At what point did Jesus ever express discontent?

    • Paul boasted of his weakness.

      • I Corinthians 2:1-5 – What impact would this have had on the Christians in Corinth?

    • There is value in sharing our challenges with others. James 5:16

    • Revelation 3:15-17 – A false impression of strength is damaging.

    • Application: How might your challenges, or those facing society, allow you to show true contentedness?

  • When God’s answer is “no”

    • Remember His grace.

    • Let His power shine in your weakness.

    • Be content with your lot in life.