"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:8-9

Is it loving to give your children everything they want? "Daddy, I want a whole box of lollipops. If you really love me, you would give it to me." But because you do love them and you don't want them to rot their little teeth out, you limit the lollipops. Children don't understand rotten teeth and nutrition, so they may feel that you don't love them or that you are mean. But it is your love that causes you to say no even though it may be disappointing to them. Now magnify that many, many times over and you have the conditions that exist between man and God.

A no from God does not indicate a lack of concern or of love. Sometimes He says no because He is protecting us. Sometimes He says "no" or takes something away in order to teach us to trust and rely completely in Him.

God knows the future and knows the consequence of every action. What may look to me like a tremendous blessing may, in reality, be a curse in the long run. And what looks to me like a curse might turn out to be a tremendous blessing.

We are concerned with present comfort, but God is concerned with our eternal welfare. Remember that the next time He says "no."

Father, forgive us for the times we have challenged You and questioned Your love. Help us, Lord, to trust You with the circumstances of our lives.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Excerpt from Wisdom for Today by Chuck Smith
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