God said No to my desperate prayer

Maybe it was a prayer for a loved one that was dying and you desperately prayed to God for healing, but they died shortly after. Maybe you've been asking God for a baby and you hear friend after friend announcing they're pregnant, but your prayers haven't been answered and you've been barren for years now. Maybe it was a prayer for someone to be free from addiction and that person is still entangled. They've surrendered to the lifestyle and God hasn't set them free. Maybe it's a job, a future mate, a failing marriage, or a sense of stability. Whatever the case, you feel like losing hope in prayer.. And in God. 

You're not alone. In mark 14:36, Jesus prayed in the garden the night before his crucifixion asking God for one thing. "Take this cup from me." But God didn't. He knew that this was what needed to be done. It was for our good that God said no. But no one could see the bigger picture except for God. God saw the resurrection coming. The moment when death defeated the grave and our debt was paid in full forever. 

There is a resurrection coming for you. Death is not the end. Your barren womb is not the end. Your failing marriage is not the end. Through the death, redemption is found, the savior comes, the spirit leads, eternal life is given, God's love was poured out, life began, a promise fulfilled. 

The no is for our good and only He can see it all. Be expectant, be faithful, and be hopeful because the pain will end. And there will be rejoicing. It may not look like we thought, but something great will happen because of that "no." Just ask Jesus.