When God Says No

“But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NIVUK‬

When God says “no,” it’s not always rejection—it’s often redirection.

When God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, it looked like a setback for Moses. Pharaoh refused to listen. Every “no” delayed Israel’s freedom. Yet behind that hardness, God was orchestrating something far greater—a deliverance that would echo through generations. He wasn’t just freeing His people; He was revealing His power. The Egyptians would know that He is the Lord.

You see, Pharaoh’s defiance was part of God’s plan. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” God can even use hardened hearts, closed doors, and stubborn opposition to steer history toward His glory and our good.

Sometimes, the “no” you’re facing isn’t punishment—it’s preparation. That rejection, that delay, that blocked path might just be God saying, “Wait. I’ve got something better in mind.”

I remember once almost booking a trip to Prague. I’d planned it perfectly—a romantic getaway for Vicky and me. My finger hovered over the “Book Now” button, but something in my spirit said no. It didn’t feel right. I hesitated and didn’t book it. Weeks later, there was a massive explosion in the very square where we would have been staying. God’s “no” wasn’t denial—it was protection.

Another time, I was invited to preach at a large, prestigious church in a dangerous nation. It was an honour! I wanted to go, but again, that inner nudge said no. I obeyed, though reluctantly. Months later, I discovered that the church had been hiding weapons and was entangled in political unrest. If I’d gone, it could have brought trouble to other areas of ministry in politics I was connected with in that region. 

God’s “no” had saved not only me but His work through me and my friends.

For ten long years, our church tried to build or buy a permanent home. Every deal fell through. Sellers refused. Councils blocked us. Architects went into administration. It was exhausting. I felt frustrated and even a little lost. But when God finally moved, He did it in a day! He gave us something far beyond our dreams—a four-acre adventure park that became a new kind of ministry, charity outreach and gathering point for the region. The “no’s” had been His way of saying, “I’m doing something new—you just can’t see it yet.”

So when God says no, take a step back. Pray. Discern. Is it the enemy resisting, or is it your Father redirecting? Sometimes the Red Sea hasn’t parted yet because God is still hardening Pharaoh’s heart to set the stage for a greater miracle.

When heaven closes one door, don’t keep banging on it in frustration. Trust the heart of the One who closed it. His “no” is never cruel—it’s always purposeful.

Hold your peace. Stay patient. Ask for wisdom. Trust the Father who sees the end from the beginning.

Because when God says no, He’s not finished—He’s forming something even more glorious than you imagined.

I choose to trust God when He says no, it is not rejection—it is protection, redirection, and love. His ways are higher than my ways, and His wisdom exceeds my understanding (Isaiah 55:8–9). I trust that every “no” is making room for a greater “yes” aligned with His perfect will. “The Lord directs the steps of the righteous” (Proverbs 16:9), and even closed doors are guided by His hand.

When my prayers are answered differently than I hoped, I will not lose heart. I trust the God who sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). What He withholds today is never without purpose, and what He allows tomorrow will be for my good. I release disappointment and embrace obedience. I submit my desires to the Lord, knowing that “No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (Psalm 84:11).

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