When God Says Yes

When we talk to God in prayer we often ask Him of spiritual or material blessings. Our needs drive us closer to God. In times of sorrow we seek him and we want him to “make all things work together good.” But what do we do when he gives us our request? Now that he says yes about what you’re praying for, what will you do about it? Will you stop communicating to God when he gives you the desires of your heart?

Our tendency as human beings when we accomplish something is to acknowledge how bright, talented, or great we really are. The moment we feel that we are blessed we think more of ourselves and less of God. “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me'” (Deuteronomy 8:17). Moses was aware of this tendency that’s why he reminded the Israelite in Deuteronomy 8:18, “…remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…”

Indeed, we we’re the ones who reviewed hard to pass that exam. We were the ones who endured working just to bring food to our family. Yes, we were the ones who struggled just to be successful in our career. But it is God who gave us the ability to succeed! It is God who gave us the strength when we were about to throw in the towel. It is God who gave us unlimited opportunities and potentials. It is God.

That’s why when God says yes, the first thing we have to do is to glory in the Lord. Paul says in I Corinthians 1:31, “…He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” In our success, accomplishment or breakthrough let us not glory in ourselves, but rather let us glory in Him. Without God we are nothing. In I Corinthians 1:30 Paul points out that our spiritual blessings such as wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption are in Christ. Meaning, by ourselves we wouldn’t have these spiritual blessings. In fact, we don’t deserve any of it! So with material things we enjoy. Our blessings spiritually or physically are dependent on God’s grace and mercy.

Next, we have to give him thanks. When we thank God for his blessings we don’t just acknowledge his power and glory, but we are also doing his will. Paul says in I Thessalonians 5:18, “ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Whether our prayers are answered or not it is God’s will that his people be thankful. Let us not follow the ways of the people of old, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).

Finally, when God says yes, we should not receive his grace in vain. Paul reminded the Corinthian believers, “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1). This means that we should not waste God’s blessings in us. In I Corinthians 15:10 Paul described how God’s grace to him was not in vain, saying: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” Take note of Paul’s response to God’s grace – he worked harder! We have to bless others with what we have. The very reason why God blesses us is for us to serve him more effectively and efficiently. Sadly, some believers waste God’s grace by being unconcerned of the ministry.

So what we should do when God says yes? Glory in the Lord, give thanks, and receive not his grace in vain. If it’s not the way you respond to God’s grace why not start doing it today? You’ll realize how blessed you really are already.