Moving forward when God says no is not a good idea. In the Lord’s mercy, He gives us warnings because He knows what is ahead and we don’t. When the Lord gives us warnings, we simply need to trust Him because He loves and cares for us.
I remember driving five hours with our family to look at the college for my daughter. After a long drive, we finally arrived, and as soon as we pulled into the parking lot, I heard in my spirit a resounding no! After our school visit, we all heard God say the same thing, so we realized this was a no.
Later our daughter would attend an outstanding Christian school that would be very impactful spiritually and academically because we listened to the Lord. There have been times when I ignored the Lord’s warning and suffered the consequences. I learned the hard way that the Lord does know more than I do.
The Israelites Moved Forward Without God’s Blessings
The Israelites had not trusted the Lord to enter the promised land after being freed from slavery in Egypt. The Lord was angry with them because they did not trust Him, and He decreed they would have to wander in the desert for forty years. Moses conveyed the Lord’s decree to the Israelites, but they wanted a second chance to enter the promised land.
The Lord’s word was final, but the people decided they would enter the land anyway. Numbers 14:43 When you face the Amalekites and Canaanites in battle, you will be slaughtered. The Lord will abandon you because you have abandoned the Lord.” 44 But the people defiantly pushed ahead toward the hill country, even though neither Moses nor the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant left the camp. 45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in those hills came down and attacked them and chased them back as far as Hormah.[1]
God Desires to Protect You
Like a parent who tells a child not to touch a hot burner for their protection, the Lord does the same thing with us. As we listen to the Lord, He guides and directs us because He is the Good Shepherd. John 10:27 My (Jesus’) sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.[2]
When we follow the Lord’s voice, we need to both listen and obey, and when we do, the Lord leads us to where we need to be and not necessarily where we want to be. When the Lord says no, He has His reasons, which will always be in our best interest. He is a God of love, so when He says no, it is not to be mean or to harm us. When the Lord says no, He is teaching us to trust him and be patient. Psalm 27:14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. [3]
To learn more about moving forward when God says no, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/journey-wandering
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.