When God Says No

"I also pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying, 'O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours? Let me, I pray, cross over and see the fair land that is beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.' But the Lord was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me; and the Lord said to me, 'Enough! Speak to Me no more of this matter. Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes to the west and north and south and east, and see it with your eyes, for you shall not cross over this Jordan. But charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him, for he shall go across at the head of this people, and he will give them as an inheritance the land which you will see.'" -Deuteronomy 3.23-28

God has told Moses that He will not cross over into the the land because he hit the rock with his staff when God told him to speak to it. Moses' disobedience, and lack of faith, caused God to not allow Him to enter the land. Moses, however, has prayed for the people before, and God has relented from His anger and offered forgiveness and not destroyed them. So Moses prays to God, pleading with Him, to allow him to enter the land. But God refuses to listen, and tells him to speak no more of the matter.

Moses will not enter the land, but God will at least allow him see it. Aaron was never given this opportunity, but God will allow Moses. At this point Moses drops the matter, realizing that God's mind is made up, and he accepts the grace that is being extended to him. He charges Joshua to lead the people into the land, just as God has instructed.

Men, when God says "No" and tells you to drop it, do you? Later in scripture we'll see an instance where the people didn't and the destruction and chaos that followed. But when God says let the matter be, do you continue to bring it up hoping He will change His mind? When God gives a definite "No" do you continue to pester Him, hoping you'll annoy Him into getting what you want? Do you say that "You didn't hear Him clearly" and continue to pursue the issue?

When God says no, let us accept it and move on. When God says no it's for a reason, and ultimately that reason is for our benefit. Everything that God does is for our good because it serves to make us holy, Christlike, people. When God says no, let us accept it, and move on, in pursuit of His will.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor