As believers, we’ve all been there or will be. We may earnestly seek God but, in return, only sense His silence. And this silence can be difficult, frustrating, even excruciating.
The Bible tells the story of a man named Job who was well-acquainted with God’s silence. In his pain and suffering, he cried out to God. He asked for answers. And he kept asking. But for the first 37 chapters of the Book of Job, his cries for God’s help and relief are met only by God’s deafening silence.
As Christians, we are not always going to hear God’s voice, but from Job we can learn a few practical things to do when God seems silent;
1. Examine Your Life_ Begin by asking yourself, Is there any unconfessed sin in my life? Make sure nothing is blocking you from being able to hear God’s voice.
Psalm 66:18 says, lf I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened. This requires looking deeply at our lives.
Ask yourself: Is there anything (or anyone) I love more than God?As God brings things to mind, ask for His forgiveness.
2. Accept God’s Authority_ Recognize that God can be silent. There is no obligation for God to answer you, inform you or let you know anything.
God is said to be absolutely free, says in The Knowledge of the Holy,because no one and no thing can hinder Him or compel Him or stop Him. He is able to do as He pleases always, everywhere, forever.
Like us, Job faced the choice of acknowledging or rejecting the authority of God. In response to his suffering and loss, Job’s wife suggested he curse God and die.
Instead of following her advice, Job chose to let God be God. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? he asked Job 2:10.
Accepting God’s authority also means actively trusting God, realizing He is in control and can be trusted.
3. Listen to What God Is Saying_ Although God may seem silent regarding a specific request or petition, remember that He is in a constant state of communication with us.
In fact, it is possible that you already have an answer from God. The Bible is full of specific answers about what is right and wrong, as well as information about God’s character and His intention for us as His children and His followers.
4. Recognize That Silence Can Be Intimate_ Silence can also be a sign of God’s trust in you. The Gospel of John tells a story about Jesus’ friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha. When Jesus found out that Lazarus was ill, rather than rush to Lazarus’ house to heal him, he stayed where he was for two more days (John 11:6). And before Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus died.
When you are completely comfortable with a person, it is possible to sit in a room together and not utter a word.
5. Keep Talking to God_ Just because God seems silent doesn’t mean you should doubt Him or stop praying.
God is in control and has been all along. He heard Job’s cries for help. In trust, He waited for the perfect time to speak. Thanks for reading.