Be Careful What You Ask God For…You Just Might Get It!

Sometimes God answers our prayers with a "no", and we're not satisfied. But His "no" may be a "yes" to something better. Be careful what you ask God for. #Biblestudy #Numbers #WomensBibleStudy #GoodMorningGirls

I remember a very long time ago, praying for my husband’s job.  I had asked (well actually begged) God to help a small deal that was on the table, go through.

It didn’t go through.

I was so disappointed that God did not answer my prayer with a yes.

I cried.

A very short time later, perhaps just a few days, my husband came home from work and said he received an unexpected call and had successfully closed a new deal.

Then it happened, over and over for the next 5 years, this unexpected company would continue to need my husband’s services and they would come back time and time again for more.  Eventually, they became our bread and butter and I was humbled.  God was watching over us and providing for us despite my lack of faith and tears.

If God would have answered my original prayer about the smaller deal –  yes – then we would have missed the better plan that God had for us and I would have never known it.  I sat in tears over what I thought was an unanswered prayer, when God was providing for us tenfold through that unanswered prayer!

Be careful what you ask God for…

You just might get it!

In Numbers 11, the Israelite people are on the move. The trumpets have sounded and the tents and tabernacle have been packed up and this huge mass of over 1 million people began to march towards the Promised Land.

The Israelites had grown comfortable in their camp and this move was a challenge for them.  I think we can all relate – change is hard on everyone emotionally.  But they made a massive mistake in the midst of their change.

Numbers 11:1 tells us,

And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, “his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.”

The people complained.

The people who God had protected through the parting of the Red Sea. The people who the Lord had numbered.  The people who had been given the tabernacle where God dwelt among them. The people who were led by God – day and night by a cloud and a pillar of fire.  The people who had manna from heaven, raining down daily on them.

Yes – these people – complained.

And God was angry.

Complaining is not acceptable in the sight of the Lord and for the Israelites, it was devastating as the Lord sent down fire and consumed some of the outlying parts of their camp!

But they did not learn their lesson…so again in Numbers 11:4 they cried out,

Oh that we had meat to eat!

You see they had bread from heaven but they wanted more.  They were dissatisfied with God’s provision for them and they were not afraid to complain about it…but they should have been afraid!

Verse 10 tells us God’s response to their desire for meat:

the anger of the Lord blazed hotly.”

And then the Lord replied in Numbers 11:18-20:

18  ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. 19 You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, 20 but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?”’

Oh dear! The Israelites have done it.  They complained again and this time God said – I’ll give you what you asked for…

Be careful what you ask God for…

You just might get it!

This was NOT a blessing!

He told them he’d give them what they wanted.  Oh yes – he’d give them so much it would make them sick!

And that is what happened.  In Numbers 11:31-34, we see God sending a strong wind that brought quail to their camp and the people rose all day and night to gather it and then verse 33 tells us,

while the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague. Therefore the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had the craving.

Can you imagine?

The people have complained and begged for meat and suddenly God is answering their prayers…can you imagine their excitement?

They probably ran around in a frenzy gathering the quail and feasting on it. Then -BAM!  A great plague hit and those who were craving the meat – died!

Numbers 11:35 tells us they named this place “Kibroth Hattaavah” – which means “Graves of Craving.”

And so I wonder, are you craving something today?

Is there something you are begging God for… that may be outside the will of God?

Be careful what you ask God for.

Ungodly cravings lead to death.  When we follow our fleshly appetites, they will lead us astray. They will take over our thinking, our passions and rule our lives and the worst thing God can do is GIVE us what we ask for…give us our craving!

Our cravings will become our spiritual grave if we do not master them.

Whatever it is today that is leading you astray – put it to death.  Rather than following your cravings – follow the Lord.  Seek God first and pray that his will be done in your life.

Let’s give thanks to the Lord for He is good – His love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)

Walk with the King,

Courtney

If you are craving something more
and want to learn how to live a satisfied life –
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28 Comments

  1. Once I needed patience, so I prayed for patience. The more I prayed for it the bigger the refiners fires (struggles, trials, etc) became and the more I learned patience. I’ll never pray for patience again. Rather for the emotional, spiritual and physical strength to help me through another refiners fire :).

  2. This was such an amazing post today, very insightful and much needed!! Thank you for connecting Scripture in such a way that it applies to us today!

  3. I’ve asked God to help me move out of my parents house. I’ve been living on my own for a little over a year & it’s been such a battle for me. I miss being at home & having people to talk to. It makes me appreciate my family so much more.

  4. I begged for a baby….at 17. All I wanted was to be needed. He gave me a baby all right and i struggled with a not so great r

  5. Oh yes, I have been obsessed with and praying about having a fourth child. I always dreamed of four children. But it seems as if timing and finances aren’t on my side. I am having to let the idea of bearing one more child go- and it is so tough!! Way harder than I ever imagined. I have one special needs child, so to me, having one more person to help out later on in life seems ideal. But more than anything, I just want another person to love and take care of. Babies are a lot of work! And my son with special needs is in need of more surgeries and therapies… maybe God is telling me He has given me enough and I need to be content with that! So, I pray now for His will and for Peace in whatever decision He makes. Ultimately, I know God knows best and I want what He wants for my life. Even if it means I have to be ok with not getting something I’ve always wanted.

    1. Kelly Im on baby #4 right now. 🙂 I think Im done after this though….medical issues. I really want 7, but mayb in the future we will adopt 3 more. 🙂

  6. LOL! *note to self* Dont post coments from phone before coffee consumption….
    Begged to be needed at 17….He gave me a baby. Struggled with my relationship with the father who was 10 years older but acted as if he was still a teenager himself. I dont regret my daughter by any means but I do wish I would have waited a tad bit longer, and my ocupation at the time I was always needed (I worked as a CNA) but failed to see that.
    Begged for a husband at 19…got one and it totally backfired (but thats okay cuz he was really mean). Should have waited there too as now I have a box of court papers I hate seeing when I have to prove to a school or agency of sorts that my son CANT recieve child support because his father gave up rights.
    I begged to return to school to finish my degrees. Well again….in a hurry. And even though I was blessed with re-aceptance to my old school, its not the school I wanted. Now im wishing I would have waited util I could show my husband how great the place I wanted to go is rather than just jumping the gun and going back to old school and spending more money in a program that isnt as good. Im 14 hrs away from where I want to be and where I know my family will thrive. Time to save up…and take a road trip this summer.

  7. My husband is a cross-country truck driver and he hasn’t been home in two months. It looked like he was going to be able to come home this weekend but they closed the highways during the snowstorm in the Midwest so he missed the load that would bring him home. I have been praying and praying for God to bring him home safely to see me and our baby girl. This has made me think that maybe there is a bigger reason. Maybe we would suffer financially if he were to have a few days off now, or maybe he will be able to come home for Christmas now or something like that. Thank you, Courtney, for answering God’s call amd having this ministry. God has used you many times in my life and I know thousands of other people would say the same. God bless!

  8. “Our cravings will become our spiritual grave if we do not master them.” Selah!! That was by the Holy Spirit!! Thanks, Courtney! ?

  9. There was a time about 5-7 years ago I begged God for something. He gave it to me but it was the worst thing ever. I saw why he didn’t want me there and why he didn’t want me around certain people. It was toxic, and unhealthy. I’m glad I got to go through it though. I saw first hand who those people really are. And it wasn’t what I wanted to be apart of. God is good though He blesses us and I’m so thankful for all He does in our lives.

    Thanks Courtney for all you do!! Love you girl!
    Blessings,Adrienne

    1. you’re comment/situation is so much like mine. I begged so much to keep this man (father of my two little one’s) and in turn I struggled so much. I have no regret now but I use to be so angry b/c I felt I wasted so much time and energy but it really made me stronger in retrospect. I see now where I am suppose to be and what I’m suppose to be doing, thats seeking the Lord first, I am so so grateful for His Grace, Mercy and Love and so blessed…. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Now I am happier (there is still work to be done but am glad that I am out of the danger zone) and wait for God to lead. Amen.
      Thank you Courtney for helping all of us through your ministry. May God bring you many blessings.

  10. I have been married for 38 yrs., I separated from my husband 11 months ago. Everyday for the past 11 months, I have been praying that God bring him back to me. Last night was the last time I prayed for him to come back. This morning I read this and I’m feeling very optimistic about what’s ahead. God give me strength, to let go.

  11. Great post! Exactly what I needed to be reminded of this week . . . “ungodly cravings lead to death.” Thanks for leading me to more understanding of the God I so desire to serve:)

  12. I have been praying for a husband for over 30 years. mind you, i did get married at the age of 19 much to early. I knew nothing about marriage and it failed after 7 years (2 years separated). I don’t understand why God has not answered my prayer? Since I think I now know how to treat my husband and to be a good godly wife. I do know that God know what is best for me and I am just going to have to trust Him. In the meantime God is equipping me for what is to come and He is probably doing the same for my new husband. Whatever His will is for my life, I will be content with it.

  13. I actually recently had something that I wished for, and regret it. I was struggling. I am a homeschooling parent of 4 kids–Age 4-14. My 13 yr old has been really pushing me over the edge these past few years. It got so bad and disheartening, that I just really wanted to die. Now, I’m not talking suicide–I don’t want to TAKE my own life…..I just really felt like I wished God would take it. I realize that I need to step away from living through my emotions, and go in a different direction. So, even though I didn’t pray specifically for God to take my life, my emotions sure felt that way! That was 2 1/2 weeks ago, and since then, I’ve had a couple of illnesses pop up. This post reminds me of what I wished for, and it was just a selfish feeling of “quitting”–giving up. I know God is stronger, and I hope He doesn’t give in to my selfishness.

    1. I hear you on the 13yr old thing. Our daughter about a yr ago was giving my current husband and I grief and was getting into so much trouble at school. She had me crying every day and we were yelling at her constantly, we had had enough. I told my husband that if she didn’t get her butt in gear she was going to live with her real day. Well about two months before school was to be out, she had disrespected her step-dad and got into trouble and he sent her to her room. When he went in there to get her for dinner she asked for a box and he asked her what for, she said, she wanted to move in with her dad. My husband came in there and told me what she said, I bawled my eyes out. I know that I wanted her to go but, deep down I never thought it would actually take place. Needless to say I learn to becareful for what I wished for and said. My husband and I began to pray for God to work in our hearts as well as hers. I am glad to say that with the Lord guidance she is still living with us.

      1. I am so happy that she is still with you. I pray that both of our daughters will see the light that we try to lead them in and to. Free will–it’s so hard, but I know in the end, anything good comes from God and not because of us, and I pray that He continually leads us and guides us as we journey on.

  14. Great post! I really enjoyed it. I had a similar experience happen to me. I asked God to end a friendship with someone and the next day it happened. We stopped talking and things were as if we never even met. It was like night and day. I agree that you have to be careful what you pray for because it can be granted right before your eyes.

  15. Reading this really helped me out. Made me realize I should stop complaining about my situation…I asked God to show me who my future husband was and he definitely showed me someone. At first I thought it couldn’t be true so i asked over and over because this guy is everything I don’t want. I put up so many walls to block any feelings from coming out.
    After confessing my feelings for said guy I just felt more confused because nothing progressed at all.

    And now, more than anything I just want to stop liking him because I feel like it’s a mistake. I’ve practically begged God to stop me from feeling this way…and I hate it. So now I’m just going to be patient and focus on God and let him do his work.
    So I agree, be careful with what you pray for…God will answer.

  16. I been praying BEGGING GOD PLEASE deliver me from smoking cigarettes, I have Copd, can’t breathe, use inhalers and breathing treatments EVERY 4 hours plus cpap l. Well 9 days Ago I was admitted to ICU WITH STAGE 4 EMPHYSEMA ? Had to Stop smoking COLD TURKEY AFTER 50 YEARS! LOST MY PRECIOUS MOMMA 5 YEARS AGO AT 72 TO LUNG DISEASE she NEVER smoked.
    I know GOD WILL GIVE ME MY MIRACLE, DR SAYS 2 TO 5 YEARS I SAY I DON’T HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE only God’s grace and a Miracle will keep me ALIVE!!!

  17. I want to die. I’ve been suffering all my life from depression that treatment after treatment has failed to alleviate for even a short time. It’s destroyed all my hopes and dreams, leaving me a shell of a person. It caused what few friends I had to cut me out of their lives because I’m “too depressing to be around.” It caused the love of my life, the one person that gave me strength and hope that I could beat my illness, to start an affair with and leave me for another man. A richer, more successful, better one. I’ve hoped and prayed for years that it would “get better.” It hasn’t. There’s no “light at the end of the tunnel.” I simply cannot fathom this nightmare I live with as “love.” If God truly loved me, he would take me and put an end to my suffering.

    If you want to help me, don’t patronize me with any “mysterious ways” nonsense. Don’t give me any hotline phone numbers where they try to talk you down for about 10 minutes, then cut you off and move on whether they’ve succeeded or not. Instead, pray that God gives me the quick, merciful physical death instead of the long, agonizing mental one I’m suffering now. He sure as hell isn’t listening to me.

    1. To Forsaken…
      I don’t know you, nor know what’s going on in your life presently (It’s April 21, 2023).
      O.K., I won’t patronize you, nor offer one on one prayer with you; but this I will do: I will intercede on your behalf asking the Lord to forgive you for anything you’ve said or done which is against His will. I ask God to help you to [Admit] that you are a sinner separated from God because of your fallen nature, before you were born. (Romans 3:23). That you [Believe] that Jesus was born of a virgin by way of God’s Holy Spirit, that God sent Him as a ransom for your, [and everyone’s] sins; and that He died and was buried.. and God raised from death. When God raised Him from the grave it was so we who believe on Him [Jesus] would not face hell when we die. That you [Confess] your faults, sins, with your own mouth before others; then ask Jesus to come into your heart and save you from your sins. *You must, have have faith that Jesus has forgiven your sins, and that the Holy Spirit now abides in you, because you have Accepted Jesus as your Lord. (Romans 10:9-13) (1 John 1:9) I pray that you have taken these steps, and understand that you are now in the family of God. Amen! Now, you need to trust Him to do everything that He has promised in His Word [The Bible] concerning you (The Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John mainly tell of Jesus’ life and His Teaching). It is important that you seek out a body of believers to help you learn more about being a Christian, and how to study the word of God; and walk in His way… If you have taken these steps You are no longer your own, you are born again and have newness of life in Christ Jesus! Hallelujah! Ask the Pastor of a Bible teaching church about Baptism, and your need to be baptized. You should find fellowship and a family of likeminded believers to lead and quide you. As you pray [talking with God] do so not just for yourself, but other believers; and for sinners who also need salvation. I hope and trust that you find peace in Jesus’s name I pray.??Amen

  18. I was so down and out after going through a 10 year relationship that ended in no marriage, him cheating and getting another woman pregnant. I prayed to God for a man that would support me and it didn’t matter if he was disabled just so long as he treated me well! I received just what I asked for only thing is is he doesn’t want to get married, and he doesn’t want to create a bond with my family, children , grandchildren etc… I have come to realize that I’m not even attracted to him any more! I love him and feel sorry for him but I don’t want to be with him anymore! I’m afraid to leave because I asked and I received and I don’t know what will happen! What do I do?

  19. Hello,
    I can only guess what having a prayer answered with yes. 42+ years and no answers at all. Not Yes, not No, not Wait. Just silence, absence, and unanswered prayers. As for being careful what I pray for I can only hope that God would say yes. I pray for God to be interactive in my life, noticeably. That would be so wonderful. I also pray for the resources to do God’s work thus glorifying God in the process. That would be wonderful. I need more from and of God. I cry because of God’s lack of involvement in my life. I know I used the word hope, but as long as the silence, absence, and unanswered prayers continues there isn’t any hope. My whole life has been lived in poverty and hopelessness. I don’t know why God refuses to be involved with me. I just know that it hurts greatly that God doesn’t care enough to be here for me.

    God bless you, in Jesus holy name, Amen.

  20. My boyfriend and I were arguing and I asked God to take him away. At the beginning of July, he moved 4 states away. We are doing long distance but he wants me to move there. I am the sole caretaker for my mom who has health problems. He told me to bring her too. She doesn’t want to move. I’m in the middle of this situation.I really want to be with my boyfriend and he wants to marry me. Is this God’s will- for us to be apart? I am so sorry I ever uttered that but I didn’t mean it. I was just overwhelmed at the time. I pray God will show me His will in circumstances or in some way that I can’t miss or misinterpret.

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