Beautiful Glorious “No”
Based on 1 Chronicles 17:3-4
David is told “no”.
“But it happened that same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell David My servant, ‘This is what the Lord says: “You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in…”
Spoiler alert: David's son, Solomon, would build a massively impressive house for the Lord.
Beautiful Glorious “No”
Beautiful, glorious “no”.
Where have you been all my life?
What is with all of this rushing?
Frustration, exhaustion and strife.
Beautiful, glorious “no”.
This “no” seems oft hidden from me.
I didn’t know it was an option.
This “no” though, just might set me free.
“No,” I say quiet.
“Stop,” I grow bold.
“Wait,” I read scriptures.
“Cease,” my heart’s told.
Cancel commitments
You made out of guilt.
Tear down that kingdom
That you alone built.
Dismiss toxic people,
Those dragging you down.
Fence of those waters,
That cause you to drown.
Reject what’s ill-fitting,
Doesn’t honor the Lord,
Cut off and break off,
Slice clean with the Sword.
Stave off what's against you,
Reinforce your blockades,
Deny their full access,
And throw the grenade.
Now practice your “no”.
Perfect the dismissal,
All this “nay” saying
Will be beneficial.
You cannot say “yes”
Until someone’s heard “no”.
You cannot grab hold,
Unless first you let go.
Somethings are not for me.
Only God may know why.
Only God knows the suffering.
Only God knows I’d cry.
“No” is amazing.
It’s my access key
To the gate, oh, so narrow,
Path of life lit for me.
“No” can establish
My future, my plans.
“No” brings me closer
To the true Son of Man.
“No” to this world.
“No” to my flesh.
“No” to temptation.
“No” to excess.
“No” sets me free,
Like a blade to cut ties,
Like a ball and chain lifted,
Lies stripped of disguise.
Free to seek Jesus,
Free to find “yes”,
Free to find freedom,
Walk in all of Christ’s best.
Walk on the straight path,
With a lamp for my feet,
My ways all established,
My chains obsolete.
Now I have room
For more “yes” and “amen”.
The quiet I needed
To hear of God’s plan.
A plan of true truly’s,
And verily’s too,
Affirmations and victory,
Favor run through.
Supreme God, the Winner,
My positive course,
The Victor, Magnificent,
The One Who Restores.
My Advantage, My Profit,
Advance and exalt,
The True Prize for certain,
Confirmation and Salt.
All of this goodness,
Words can’t describe,
Promised to children,
And those who abide.
Promise on Promise,
Given in grace,
With love and with mercy,
From the One Who Replaced.
The One Who laid down
His very own life.
Said “yes” to His death
And took on my fight.
He said the hard “yeses”
So we’d not be alone.
Said “no” to forsaking
All those He’d called home.
Now renew your strength,
And wait on the Lord,
Find mercy and justice,
The perfect reward.
Be still, and cease striving,
Accept the sweet quiet.
When your life was ransomed,
Christ said He would buy it.
So let “yes” be “yeses”,
And let the “no’s” flow.
Make room for the waiting,
Make room for the slow.
So many times
Word of God says to “wait”,
But there’s no room for waiting,
If you’re always too late.
“No” allows room
“No” makes some space,
“No” builds us up,
Gives us strength for the race.
Any true runner
Knows that to train,
We must include rest,
So that we’ll see the gains.
No, no, no, no thanks,
Practice improves.
The use of this rare tool
We all need to use.
“No” is a good word,
A powerful thing,
It makes room for worship,
For praise of the King.
Say “no” to rushing,
To doing it all,
And say “yes” to watching
The idols all fall.
We are made for true worship.
Made to give praise.
So clear out life’s clutter,
And get out of the daze.
Use well those “no’s”,
Then give Christ your “yes”.
He’ll fill you with more,
As you say “yes” to less.
Christ is sufficient,
But we need to make room
To listen, be watchful,
He’s coming back soon!
