When God says “No”, trust Him. He is faithful and reliable.
When God said “no” to Paul, he didn’t give up.
He didn’t stop moving. He didn’t shut down or fall into despair. He kept going.
We can learn from his example.
That’s the first lesson for us when we face disappointment. When God closes a door, when the answer is “No,” or when our plans don’t work out, it’s essential to keep moving. Don’t quit. Don’t throw in the towel. Don’t let discouragement cause you to stop altogether. Keep taking the next step, even when it’s unclear where the path is leading.
In Acts 16, Paul and his companions were seeking direction. They were willing, eager, and available. But the Bible says they were “forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia” (Acts 16:6, NKJV). That had to be concerning! They weren’t doing something sinful. They were spreading the gospel and planting churches. But still, God said no.
So what did they do? They kept moving. They tried another direction. Again, “the Spirit did not permit them” (Acts 16:7). That’s two closed doors in a row. Some might have taken that as a sign to stop. But not Paul. He kept going. And as he continued to move, God gave him a vision of a man in Macedonia pleading for help. That’s where the Lord was sending them all along. They didn’t see it at first, but as they continued seeking the Lord, the clarity came.
Some of us stop too soon. We take God’s “No” as his final word for everything for all time. But often, it’s just the beginning of a redirection. The Lord isn’t trying to confuse us. He’s leading us. And when we walk with Him, even through the uncertainty, we find out later that He knew exactly what He was doing. Of course He does!
Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” That includes the stops of the Lord, too.
God is not absent in the silence. He is ordering your steps. Even the ones that feel like detours are still part of His will for your life.
When Paul finally arrived in Philippi, he met Lydia. The women at the riverside were born again! Lives were changed. Later, a jailer would be saved!
All the amazing ministry in Phillipi was waiting on the other side of the “No.”
What is waiting on the other side of God’s “no” in your life? It’s hard to imagine right now, but believe me, there’s more ahead for you in your life!
Don’t give up just because things didn’t go how you expected. Maybe the timing wasn’t right. Perhaps the direction was off. Maybe God is protecting you from something you can’t see. But He hasn’t forgotten you. He’s still very much active in your life.
Keep your heart soft. Stay open to the Spirit of God. The next door may be the one that opens wide, and when it does, you’ll be ready.
