I WON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER
2 CORINTHIANS 1:20 (Paul) (RPT)20 For all promises of God, in him are yes, and in him Amen, for glory to God through us.
Note 1: As far as his promises are concerned, God has promised to answer "yes" to every single one of them, when we ask in faith. Therefore, if we know that God has promised deliverance from sin, we should not accept "no" for an answer. If we do, then we have effectively called God a liar, because "he who believes not God has made him a liar;" (1 John 5:10). Look at some examples of the attitude of people who received from God by faith:
(1) Jacob wrestled all night with "a man", whom he perceived to be God (Genesis 32:24-30), in order to obtain a blessing. During the struggle "the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of Joint" (v25), but he still would not let go. He insisted, "I will not let you go, except you bless me." (v26). Jacob would not take no for an answer, and he received his blessing.
(2) A Greek Syrophoenecian woman from Canaan sought Jesus to heal her daughter, who was vexed by a devil (Matthew 15:21-28;Mark 7:24-30). At her first attempt Jesus ignored her, so she cried after the disciples (Matthew 15:23). Jesus" disciples besought him to send her away (Matthew 16:23), and Jesus refused to help her, saying, "I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24). She did not give up, but fell at his feet (Mark 7:25), worshipped him (Matthew 15:25), and besought him again (Mark 7:26). Jesus refused again, this time referring to her as a dog (Matthew 15:26; Mark 7:27). She still did not give up, but admitted, "Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters table." (Matthew 15:27; Mark 7:28). Jesus said she had great faith, and granted her request (Matthew 15:28; Mark 7:29). She would not take "no" for an answer, and her daughter was healed (Matthew 15:28; Mark 7:30).
(3) The story of the man who was sick of the palsy is told in three scriptures (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26). Four men brought him on a bed to find Jesus (Matthew 9:2; Mark 2:3; Luke 5:18), but could not get near him for the multitude (Mark 2:4; Luke 5:19). They did not give up, but uncovered the roof of the house and let him down before Jesus (Mark 2:4; Luke 5:19). Jesus saw their faith which would not take no for an answer (Matthew 9:2; Mark 2:5; Luke 5:20), and the man got healed (Matthew 9:7; Mark 2:12; Luke 5:25).
(4) When Elijah was praying for rain (1 Kings 18:41-46), he already knew that God would send it, because God had told him so (1 Kings 18:1). Nevertheless, when he got down to pray, he sent his servant to see if there were any clouds (v43). When his servant came back, having seen nothing, Elijah did not stop praying. He eventually sent him seven times before he saw the clouds forming over the sea (v44), and he knew that it was about to rain. Elijah would not take "no" for an answer, and got what he prayed for.
(5) When Daniel sought God for the understanding of a vision that he had seen (Daniel 10:1-21), he fasted for three weeks while he was praying (vv2-3). God had answered his prayer on the first day (v12), but because the angel who had been sent with the answer was hindered by a wicked spirit in the heavens (v13), Daniel had to continue to seek the face of God. He could have quit without having received his answer at any time, because he had no visible evidence that God had answered his prayer, but instead he continued steadfastly, refusing to take "no" for an answer, and he got his understanding (v14).
If this is the way that people of faith have received from God in the past, by refusing to take "no" for an answer, then it will surely work for us also.
Note 2: Not only does the scripture show that not taking "no" for an answer is profitable when we seek from God, but it also indicates that it works for worldly people too:
(1) A man in need of three loaves was refused when he first asked his friend (Luke 11:5-7), but he refused to take "no" for an answer and got as many as he needed (Luke 11:8). Jesus was teaching us here how to pray and receive from God.
(2) In the parable of the widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8), Jesus was teaching us how to pray always, and not to faint (v1). The widow was refused her request for vengeance at first (vv 4-5), but because she kept on coming, and troubled him, the judge decided to avenge her (v5). She would not take "no" for an answer, and got her vengeance. This was a comparison of how we should seek God to obtain things from him by faith (v8).
(3) King Saul was a disobedient king who was rejected by God for his disobedience (1 Samuel 15:1-35). After he admitted his sin (v24), he sought honour from Samuel before his people, by requesting him to turn with him when he worshipped the Lord (v25), but Samuel refused (v26). Saul did not give up, but grabbed hold of Samuel's mantle, and tore it as he turned to leave (v27). Even after Samuel had told Saul that his kingdom would be taken from him, and that God would not repent (vv28-29), he still did not give up, but requested again that Samuel would turn with him (v30). This time Samuel did turn (v31). Saul would not take "no" for an answer, and got that which he desired.
These are all examples of how worldly people received the things which they were after by refusing to take "no" for an answer, and if it works for them, seeking from imperfect people, how much more will it work for us, seeking from a perfect God?
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Oh God of speed, i will not let you go, unless you change my story.
2. My Father My Maker, My case is urgent, Settle me today In The Mighty name of Jesus Christ.
3. Thou God that changed the story of Hannah to Glory, it is my turn Lord!
Pastor OKORIE EMMANUEL +2347037790797