Why God sometimes says, "NO"

 In Mark chapter 5, verses 1-20, we find Jesus landing on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee near a region of 10 cities.

Immediately he is confronted by a wild man, a mad man in the true sense of the word. We don't know any of his history but somewhere in his background he got himself into a fix. The man was possessed by evil spirits. He is so wild that he cannot be restrained, even with chains. If they try to restrain him he just breaks the chains. He lives in the countryside in isolation and sometimes he lives in the cemetery.

Upon seeing Jesus he runs up to him and falling to his knees begs Jesus not to torment him. Jesus then commands the evil spirits to come out of the man.

A large herd of pigs was feeding nearby. Interestingly the demons begged Jesus to allow them to posses the pigs and Jesus allows them to. Upon entering the pigs they wildly run down the hill, jump into the water, and drown.

Now, the man is in his right mind, free from the tormenting evil spirits, and needless to say very thankful.

News of this man deliverance spreads and people from the nearby town come out to see this man and see who delivered him. 

Having know of this man and his reputation the people are amazed.

Then, they do something very strange. Even after witnessing a miracle they BEG Jesus to leave the area and leave they alone.

Jesus complies and as his is getting into the boat to leave the man who was delivered BEGS Jesus to allow him to join his ministry team.

Jesus tells the man, "NO, you stay here in this region and go to these 10 cities telling everyone of God's mercy and what the Lord has done for you."

Later in chapter 7 of Mark, verses 31-37 we find Jesus back in the same area. This time, however, we find a different mentality among the people. Whereas before the people BEGGED Jesus to leave the area and leave them alone they bring a deaf and dumb man to Jesus and BEG Jesus to heal him.

In this story we see the wisdom of God denying the former demon possessed man his request to follow Jesus and join his ministry team so he can stay home and tell his story.

In chapter seven we see the results of his obedience. Before they BEGGED Jesus to leave them alone but because of this man's story the people realized their need for a touch from the Master.

There are times when God asks us to do things that don't make sense. They are contrary to our dreams and plans. To obey him, we would have to sacrifice our dreams and visions.

In Romans 12:1-2 we are told to sacrifice our bodies as living sacrifices, wholly, not partially, then we would know his will, his perfect will for our lives.

By obeying Jesus, laying down his will and staying home to tell his story a whole region was affected.

As a young man I was certain that God wanted to use me in a mission setting somewhere in the world, thankfully I obeyed him when he said "NO."

After over 20 years of waiting he finally said, "YES," and made it possible for my dream and vision to come true.

Ruth and I spent the next 30 plus years traveling the World either working on building projects, teaching, or planting churches.

Here us a truth that every Christian needs to learn; God's delays are not necessarily God's denials.