How much more gratifying and purposeful life would be if we learned to expect nothing and be thankful for everything.
David, in appreciation for all that God had done for him and the people of Israel, desired to build a temple or a house for God. But David received the news in 1 Chronicles 17:4, ""Go and tell My servant David, 'Thus says the Lord: You shall not build Me a house to dwell in." David asked, and God's answer was no. But notice what God tells David through the prophet Nathan in 17:7-8, "Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts: "I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a name like the name of the great men who are on the earth." Too often when God says no, people question God's love for us or His fairness, but it helps when we are reminded of all that God has done for us. How did David respond to the disappointing news in 17:16, "Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: "Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?" Though we all know the many mistakes that have and will occur in the life of David, it is this heart of grace and love that God was able to use. Once God then promised what would transpire through his son, Solomon, it is this same heart which then trusted the promises of God in 17:26-27, "And now, Lord, You are God, and have promised this goodness to Your servant. Now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You have blessed it, O Lord, and it shall be blessed forever."
If we pray for something which does not happen, essentially God is saying no, or possibly wait, what is our response? Do we get angry in our disappointment? We should do what God did for David, we should reflect on all that God has done for us which we do not deserve rather than focusing on what we did not get which we think we did deserve. When we lose a loved one, yes we are sad, but are we angry for the years that we lost with that person that we think we deserved, or are we thankful for the blessing for all the years that God gave us with that person that we didn't really earn or deserve. When our body begins to fail, and the aches and pains become more the norm than the exception, are we angry for these ailments or are we thankful for all those undeserved years that God has given us in an essentially pain-free existence. When we lose our job, etc. are we angry for this disruption or thankful for all those years of provision that we did not deserve. So much comes down to our hearts and whether we approach things from a position of expectation or thankfulness. May we all take a moment and truly thank God for every blessing that we can think of, even our very breath. Then we are in a position to face our lives in Christ, be thankful for whatever comes our way, and rest on His promises as outlined in His Word.