When God says Yes and When God says No

We are facing a nation of hurting children who have had dreams and some of them have been shattered.  But, even though their dreams seemed to have died, we can help our children face these through others who have also faced this. Because God loves his children He has lovingly placed some stories of people who also had dreams and He inspirationally condensed them in very short snippets, like 7 verses or even just 1 verse! Search them out so you can meet the needs of children who are wishing for or dreaming about something. Get down to their level and listen closely. You may hear I wish I had a bike or something material but sometimes you might hear this: I wish my Mommy and Daddy (you fill in the blank). We want our children to know that God is listening and He alone has the answers to those dreams or wishes.

There is a story found in 1 Chronicles 4 where we find a man by the name of Jabez whose mother named him pain because of his difficult birth. Imagine growing up hearing others making fun of your name; hey you are a pain. Yet of all the people listed in 1Chronicles he alone is given this distinction; he was more respected or honorable than all of his brothers. Jabez learned how to take what was hard and made it beautiful. But even so Jabez asked God to fulfill his dream so that when others encountered him, God would get the glory! Jabez said: “If only you would greatly bless me and expand my territory! May your hand be with me! Keep me from harm so I might not endure pain!” Don’t miss this:  God answered his prayer.” And sometimes God does just that but not always—

There is another story about a famous king who also had a dream but his dream was shattered. We read the story in 2 Sam 7 and 1 Chron 17.  He dreamed of building a temple for God.  Jabez only told his dream to God but King David told his dream to the prophet Nathan. As Nathan listened, he responded, just like we might:  “Go for it!”   But in the middle of the night, God spoke to the prophet and said go and tell David emphatically “NO! I do NOT want you to build me a temple!”  So, sheepishly Nathan takes what God said and returns to David with God’s message

GET THIS POINT IF YOU DON’T GET ANYTHING ELSE HERE: 

There was nothing wrong with David’s dream. He wanted, just like Jabez, to honor God but God had something even better!

After Nathan told David what God said David had a choice. When we hear God say “no” we also have some choices. We can say, God, you are being unfair, or you and others are against me. We can be bitter, angry, have a temper tantrum or submit. So what did David do when his dream was shattered?

 He went in and sat before the Lord 

You may have a dream and it is like God is not listening. Like Jabez and King David, your heart is pure. You just want to honor and glorify God but God has said “no.” Now don’t miss this!  God didn’t take away King David’s dream but showed David that His dream was far better and bigger than even David could think or imagine.  Don’t stop listening when God says no.  WHY? He usually has something far greater or bigger than you can imagine. God is listening! God cares but we may have missed his bigger dream because we are too busy whining. Sit before God and listen to His still small voice.