Prayer, and the Greater 'Yes!'

Our Lord received the greatest "No!" in the universe, when he sweat blood in the Garden before going to the cross. He prayed to be delivered from the impending curse and death -- but was not.

Therefore, he has the name above every name, at which every knee will bow -- and we are saved.

Behind the greatest possible "No!" was the Greater "Yes!".

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In view of our Lord's promise that he definitely would answer the prayers that came to his Father through him (John 14:12-14), we too must look for and expect the Greater "Yes!". In all our afflictions and tribulations, there will be deliverance, and ministry for Christ, and the reward of glory waits.

The worst sorrow is at the loss of souls. Paul was willing to be cursed from Christ for the sake of his countrymen (Rom 9). Jesus wept over Jerusalem. But, even these tears will be actively wiped away by the hand of the Lord.

Paul could say, after all is said and done (Rom 11), that the Lord's plan of salvation is so great that he can glorify "The depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" The earthly Jerusalem over which Jesus wept is fulfilled in that redeemed Jerusalem above. Not one of the Lord's people, given him by heaven, will be lost.

So, we may weep in tribulations now, but only in faith. Because, behind every "No!" there still lies the Greater "Yes!".