When God Says No 2/11/24
Samuel 12:16-23 nkjv 16 David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, “Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!” 19 When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” 20 So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.”22 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
❓ Have you ever begged God for something you didn’t get ❓ When did you ever have to reap what you had sown❓
*** We have all sinned and have had to either be chastened or bear the consequences.
💥 Despite difficult times and hardships, when it seems the heavens are silent, we can still trust God to care for us and always work toward our good.
💥 FACTS about why bad things happen (simple):
⭐ 1. Bad things happen when we choose to disobey God. ➤ I’m amazed at how many people get mad at God when horrible things happen because they made bad decisions or chose to do sinful things.
2. We reap what we sow! God is not mocked. Can’t blame Him or get mad at Him.Galatians 6:6-8 6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
- He could have stopped it. He told us not to do it!
- Or we would die - Go through severe trials - Get sick -
- We get mad because He does what He says He will do --- we didn’t believe He meant it!
3. Our disobedience affects others. ( Speeding kills people in a car wreck)
- We are to take responsibility to stop evil ourselves.
- Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
4. No one is above making bad choices and sinning.
- 1 Corinthians 10:12 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
💥 What does this teach us about handling our mistakes and sins?
1. Don’t run from God!! v16) 16 David therefore pleaded with God for the child Adam and Eve ran and hid themselves from God.
- David ran to God!
- ➤ David embraced the grace of God! Trusted God more than what others would say!
v14) However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.
2. Get serious about praying. He fasted, stayed on his face all night, prayed for a week.
3. Asked God to change the impossible, despite what God had already said. v14) ,,,,,,,,,,,the child also who is born to you shall surely die.
4. When it was over He moved forward with God!
- Didn’t wallow in guilt and shame.
- Received the power of God’s grace to continue to be king. Put his hand to the plow, not to keep looking back. ( we want to punish ourselves and others) Others will never forget it.
- How many are held back by our past sins?
💥 What does this teach us about God:
I. No one knows exactly what God will do! v22) for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’
- David knew he didn’t know. ( Don’t suppose we know all that God thinks. There are a lot of things we don’t know.)
- We have not because we ask not. ( we don’t ask many times because we presuppose we understand and know what God will do.)
➤ I love David’s answer to why he did what he did. He simply said, “Who knows what God will do?”➤ Don’t jump to conclusions------ I know what you are thinking; why you are doing etc
II. God’s grace through Jesus makes all things possible for those who believe. v22) ,,,,, will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’Matthew 17:20-21 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”💥 James 4:2 You have not because you ask not.💥💥💥 But what if it doesn’t work like I ask? Look at David. It didn’t work like he wanted, but it didn’t turn him against God or get him all twisted up with himself.
- David knew how to trust in God’s will and grace!
👉 ****) Prayer might not always change your circumstance, but it will always change you. (****👈
III. Move forward!v23) 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” 2 Samuel 12:13 13 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
- Put your hand to the plow and don’t look back. Move forward in God’s will, even if people talk badly about what we have done. If we have repented and embraced His grace,press on.
- Even when we don’t get what WE want, God knows what He wants.
- Jeremiah 29:11 “'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. '”
A. God has His plans! ( we need to follow them if we want all things to work together for our good.)B. We know all things work together for our good! Romans 8:28) Again.
- Not for us to get what we want, but to be in God’s will.
➤ Even when the heavens are silent, it doesn’t mean God doesn’t know what to do.
- We can trust Him. Verse 23) You will not die! God was working for David’s good and for His will to be done.
- David could
- Trust God even when he didn’t get what he wanted.
- Walk by faith and not by sight
Watch how God will make all things work together for the good.
