Two Little Big Words

From our earliest days when we began to speak, even in a childlike way, we soon discovered the power of two simple little words – YES and NO. As we began to grow and mature we also discovered that these two little words were actually moulding our lives.  They influenced our attitudes, behavior, decisions, choices and actions.  In fact, what you say yes to and what you say no to, will largely determine and influence the life that you’ll lead. 

Now all of us know that saying yes and no is not always a simple matter.  Sometimes the stakes are high. There are times when it involves much anguish of heart and wringing of hands. Often, we have to pray, seek God, ascertain His will, consider the options, count the cost, and make a choice that could radically change our lives.  Moses had arrived at a crossroads in his life. After long and careful consideration, he concluded that he was going to have to say a very big, clear-cut NO to some things.  But saying NO is not always the easiest nor the obvious thing to do.  Moses’ refusal, his NO, was neither easy nor obvious. It wasn’t easy: In the natural, Egypt had much to offer Moses. All the things men crave most were at his disposal. Affluence, influence, power, prestige. Fame and fortune were his. (At 40 years old he had it all)  So, saying NO mustn’t have been easy. Neither was it obvious.  It wasn’t obvious: After all, was it not God who had brought him into such a place and into such a position? Did not God do the same with Joseph many years previous, and put him into such a privileged position in Egypt?  Would not the obvious thing for Moses to have done have been to stay?  To remain at Pharaoh’s side, and like Joseph, use his privileged position of power and influence to help his beleaguered people?  He could have rationalized it. He could have convinced himself that he would never be in a better position in his life in order to help his people. But sooner or later he would have to make a choice – a choice between God’s people or Pharaoh’s people. Between Pharaoh’s Palace or the Promised Land. Between the world’s ways or God’s ways. Between taking a stand or making a compromise. This would be his test.

Sometimes God asks us for a refusal that’s neither easy nor obvious.  It may concern a career, a relationship, a commercial proposition. It may involve position, status, promotion, or a person.  Sometimes you have to say NO for God in order to say YES to God.  In other words, there are some things you may have to refuse, for God’s sake, in order to say yes to the things God really has for you.  Lots of people have got it the other way around. They say YES to the wrong things and NO to the right things. If only Demas had said YES to God’s will and NO to this world, there might have been another Epistle written.   We may have read about Demas the Evangelist or Pastor Demas.  If only Samson hadn’t played fast and loose with God’s anointing and call, and said NO to the wrong things and YES to the right things, it would all have ended so differently for him.  Perhaps God is speaking to you today, asking for a Yes or a No. What will it be? It’s your call. 

- Pastor David Goudy