No

“No.”

“Please, Mama?”

“I said No, now don't ask me again!” I told my seven-year-old. I am all for giving my child what she wants and am probably guilty of overindulging her, but there are some things that, when I say no, that is what I mean, end of discussion.

“But why?” she asked.

“Look, you are a child, I am the mom. You are already close to being smarter than I will ever be, but not quite. For now, I know better than you. This is not a negotiation. I do not have to explain every decision I make to you. Sometimes, you need to take ‘No’ for an answer and trust that I have your best interests at heart.”

“But he went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19:4). Who could blame Elijah for how he felt? He had just made his great escape from Mount Carmel, where he had achieved victory over the prophets of Baal by bringing down fire from heaven. But where was the great revival? Where was the return to the LORD? The power of Almighty God had been displayed, yet it seemed to have done little to get people to turn toward the LORD. He was a failure; he was the enemy of the state, hunted by Jezebel and Ahab, a man on the run. His goose was as good as cooked. He might as well be dead.

The LORD saw that His servant was discouraged and ministered to him. God met Elijah's physical needs, sending His angel to feed Elijah and give him water, and then he slept. God was patient with him while he regained his strength. Then He sent him on his way. There were things Elijah needed to do, but first, the LORD listened to him. He allowed Elijah to vent his frustrations (1 Kings 19:5-8). Elijah had worked for the LORD, been faithful and devoted to God’s cause, and done this largely isolated from other believers. He thought his whole career had been a failure, and if none of his work had impacted God's people, then what was his life worth? He might as well be dead (9-10).

God listened. And then He responded—not in the wind, not in the earthquake, not in the fire, but in a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:11-12). “No,” to Elijah's request. “No,” he would not die. God had work for him to do (13-18).

What if your parents had said “Yes” to every request you made? Look back on some of the things you asked your parents about and got a “No” response, only to throw a fit, and inevitably see that it was to your benefit. What if your Heavenly Father said “Yes” to every foolish ask? Elijah was at an all-time low. He was afraid, discouraged, hungry, and thirsty, so much so that he asked the LORD to take his life, and the LORD said, “No.” Elijah would not die then, or ever! Elijah is one of the only people in the history of mankind who has never died! In fact, he is still alive! “Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11-13). Most men beg the LORD to spare their lives, and Elijah begged God to take his, yet he is one of two who has never died. Elijah thought he had disappointed God, but on the contrary, the LORD had so much love and respect for Elijah that He carried him from this world in a whirlwind without having to experience death.

Elijah had been discouraged because his miraculous act had failed to move people as he thought it should. Little did he know that God and others were more impressed by his daily commitment to the faith. Unbeknownst to Elijah, seven thousand prophets scattered throughout the country had been inspired by his daily walk with God (1 Kings 18:22).

Do not get discouraged because you do not immediately see the fruits of your labor for God. You may never know how your devotion to the LORD inspires others, but do know that God has plans for you and plans for others through you. Sometimes those plans require Him to say “No.” And it is okay to accept a “No” from God; after all, He is the Father, and you are the child. He does not have to explain every decision He makes to you. Trust that He has your best interests at heart because maybe, when God says “No,” it is because He has a whirlwind of blessings for you. Perhaps He wants you to live forever. Indeed, He does.