When We Say “No” But God Says Otherwise

Focus Verse: Then he said, “About this time next year you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!” 2 Kings 4:16 (NKJV)

Have you ever been in a place where God consistently confirmed His plan for your life but, because you had grown tired of waiting, at times you felt like saying, “you know what God, nevermind, it’s fine”? Not because you didn’t believe, but because you were just tired. Tired of waiting. Tired of believing. Tired of consistently seeing things that were different from what God said. Well be encouraged because you are in good company, let’s look at the story of the Shunammite woman.

2 Kings 4 tells us the story of the Shunammite woman. A woman much like many of us trusting and believing God but at one point she got weary. As we look at 2 Kings 4, we see that the Shunammite woman was truly a disciple of God and was concerned about building God’s kingdom by serving the man of God, Elisha.

At one point it was her heart’s desire to have a child but after waiting and believing for so long, she had retired that desire. But God said otherwise.

After Elisha recognized that the Shunammite woman had done so much to help them, he wanted to do something for her. Gehazi told Elisha that she has never had a child, so Gehazi wanted to bless her.

But the response that Elisha got when he told her that she would have a child was surprising. “No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!”

But the following verse we see God fulfilled the promise Elisha gave and the woman conceived, see verse 17.

It’s interesting that two verse after the promise was given we see that the Shunammite woman conceived.

How many times have you told God “no”? How many times have you decided that you were moving on with your life?

When God says “yes’, your “no” doesn’t matter.

Prayer: Father, thank You so much for reminding me that Your promises do come to pass. No matter how tired I get or how much I want to move on. Forgive me for contradicting what You said. God, I trust everything You have said and as I walk in Your promise, help me to keep my eyes on You. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.