I am sure we have all been in this situation. You had a dream, a plan that you wanted to accomplish, and then you hear a resounding “NO!” For a variety of reasons you come to realize that this dream will never happen. What has been your response at these moments in your life?

If I am honest I have to admit to feeling disappointment and even anger. I am angry about all the reasons why this plan will not proceed, about the people who have blocked its fulfillment, and, even worse, I admit that at times I have been angry with God. In frustration, I have prayed something like this: “God, you know why I think this plan is important, why I think it will be good for me and others. Why have you said “no?!”

Even though these responses are normal, King David shows us a different path. This is the last speech we have recorded from David. His life is coming to an end and soon his son Solomon would succeed him as king. David had seen many successes as king, but he still had unfulfilled plans. Chief among them, David wanted to build a temple to help the people worship God. To this plan, he was told no by God. How did David respond?

Instead of being angry David first focused on the future. He collected materials for the temple and had plans drawn up. The temple would get built even if David was gone. But even more, David focused his attention on celebrating God who had been and would continue to be with the people. David celebrates the goodness, the power, and glory of God. I believe this was David’s focus because he wanted the people to feel safe and secure in this time of change. David was about to die; Solomon was to soon reign. But ultimately God was in charge.

Hearing no, being in times of transition, is a scary and upsetting time. Instead of being angry or frustrated with life and perhaps with God, David’s prayer reminds us to be still, to find within ourselves the strength to accept what is instead of lamenting what might have been. Focusing on God who is always with us, who is great, and whose Glory fills our lives reminds us that God, not us, is in charge. In that knowledge we sometimes find that that plan we wanted to occur was better not happening because God had something better in store. And if the plan is good but we, like David, come to understand that we wont be a part of its fulfillment, we can do all we can to nurture it, even if we might never see the results.

Loving God, it is sometimes so hard to hear your “no” to our plans, to our dream, to our prayers. In those times help us to remember that you are with us, your love and your power surrounds us. Help us to accept the “no” and turn our lives to the future, knowing you are with us and will be with us in these times of change. AMEN.

This devotional was written by Bill Green and read by Jim Stovall.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

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