Lesson 5: No is Also a Good Answer---5.3 God is Enough (Continued)

Protection 

In this dangerous world, it would be nice to have a man to watch out for me. Unfortunately, the reality is that some women end up with men we need to be protected from. Many of the Psalms were written by David who spent years of his life hiding out in caves from a crazy man who was trying to kill him.  The theme of God our protector is repeated constantly in the Psalms: 

·  I will lie down in peace and sleep, for though I am alone, O Lord, you will keep me safe. (Psalm 4:8, TLB) 

·  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1, NIV) 

·  My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will never be shaken. (Psalms 62:1-2, NIV) 

· Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death. (Psalms 68:20, NIV) 

·  The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; (Psalms 121:5, NIV) 

·  The LORD protects the simple hearted; when I was in great need, He save me. (Psalms 116:6, NIV) 

A simple-hearted person is one “who is childlike in his sense of dependence on and trust in the Lord.”¹   I am thankful that God protects me when I trust in Him but I am really grateful when He protects me from my own foolishness.  According to the NBC news, “The lowest temperature in all of Chicago history is 27 degrees below zero, a record set on Jan. 20, 1985.”²   On that day, while living in the Chicago area, I decided I needed to attend our Sunday evening church service about 10 miles from my home. On the way home my car engine began to overheat.  I didn’t know what to do as I was at least a mile away from home and I pictured myself frozen to death along the side of the road.  No one else was stupid enough to be out in that weather and this was before the age of cellphones. Just then I saw a light on in a gas station and turned in.  The owner of the station just happened to be there since he had been out all-day rescuing people stranded due to the cold.  He told me that it was so cold that my thermostat had frozen which was why my car overheated.  I left my car at the station and he graciously gave me a ride home.  I thank God for providing this man to rescue me from my own stupid decision. 

Passion 

As an avid movie goer, I have a great idea of what my dream lover would be a cross between Antonio Banderas, Cary Grant and of course a little bit of Tom Hanks. But women often expect more from a man than any human being could ever give. We want them to read our moods without telling them.   A caring man, we think, would always be there when we need him, never off playing golf with his buddies. A good husband would be strong enough to cover all my weaknesses not expose them. No man is all knowing, ever present or all powerful.  Only God is!  Married or single God's love is the only one that will never disappoint us. Most of us have suffered the pain of having someone say they love us yet later abandon us.  God, on the other hand, promises never to leave us and He always keeps His promises!  For more on this go back and review Lesson 1. 

Purpose 

As a woman, I tend to identity myself by my relationships. Women often find their purpose in being someone's daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother or friend.  But our ultimate purpose is found in our relationship with God.  The Westminster Confession says that "the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." In other words, we were designed to reflect who God is and experience joy in doing it.  God has created us as individuals with unique personalities and special abilities. When we become Christ followers, the Spirit gives us gifts which we are to use to bring glory to God. Each one of us has an essential assignment in the kingdom of God that only we can do. 

Good news! This is one area where singles have an edge.  We have more freedom and time (except for single parents with small children) to put our gifts to use. The apostle Paul was single and he saw singleness as a great benefit to his work. In 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 he said 

In everything you do, I would want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend the time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please Him. But a married man can't do that so well.  He has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife.  His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be more devoted to the Lord in body and in spirit, while the married woman is concerned about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you to serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. (NLT, 1996) 

By far, I have found this the best part about being single. God has given me so many great opportunities to serve Him.  I've ministered to college students, I've served as a missionary overseas, I've studied God's word in Seminary, served as a small group leader and on the Women's ministry team and now I am helping develop a ministry to caregivers. Had I been married, I would not have had the freedom just to get up and go when God called. 

Learning the Lesson: 

Whenever God says No to you, you can be assured that “He includes meeting your needs in His plans!”  Thanking God in advance, shows you have faith that He will supply your needs.  Here is a sample prayer you might pray: 

Heavenly Father, You said No to my request for ______________.  Thank You because I know You will meet my need for _____________ in some other way. I trust that Your provision will be even better than the thing I had wanted so much but did not receive.