In love, silence can be a sign of intimacy.įor Job, God’s silence was also a result of the depth of their relationship. When you are completely comfortable with a person, it is possible to sit in a room together and not utter a word. “When you cannot hear God,” says Oswald Chambers in “My Utmost For His Highest,” “you will find that He has trusted you in the most intimate way possible - with absolute silence, not a silence of despair, but one of pleasure, because He saw that you could withstand an even bigger revelation.” Four days after he died, Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus, showing His power. This mirrors many of the emotions we feel when God does not immediately answer our cries for help.īut in Jesus’ silence we, along with Mary and Martha, are drawn into a new closeness to God and understanding of His power. To Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, Jesus’ silence could have been interpreted as neglect - that Jesus did not care about or want to help them. And before Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus died. 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). The Gospel of John tells a story about Jesus’ friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Silence can also be a sign of God’s trust in you. Often, verses of Scripture can have new significance in light of current problems you are facing. So don’t forget to dig into God’s Word - His written communication to us - to find out what He has to say about the problems you are facing or the questions you are asking.Īs you read the Bible, ask God to speak to you through the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of you.
#Take time out forjesus full
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. In fact, it is possible that you already have an answer from God. Listen to What God Is SayingĪlthough God may seem silent regarding a specific request or petition, remember that He is in a constant state of communication with us. At no point does God release His control. In fact, He gave Satan permission to do these things in Job’s life. As we learn at the beginning of the Book of Job, God was fully aware of all the things that were about to happen to Job. Nothing in Job’s life, or ours, happens apart from God’s knowledge and plan. “Though He slay me,” says Job, “I will hope in Him” (Job 13:15, English Standard Version). “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” he asked (Job 2:10, NLT).Īccepting God’s authority also means actively trusting God, realizing He is in control and can be trusted. Instead of following her advice, Job chose to let God be God. In response to his suffering and loss, Job’s wife suggested he curse God and die. Like us, Job faced the choice of acknowledging - or rejecting - the authority of God.
He is able to do as He pleases always, everywhere, forever.” Tozer in “The Knowledge of the Holy,” “because no one and no thing can hinder Him or compel Him or stop Him.
“God is said to be absolutely free,” says A.W. There is no obligation for God to answer you, inform you or let you know anything. This act of faith pleases God and restores our fellowship with Him. This requires looking deeply at our lives.Īsk yourself: Is there anything (or anyone) I love more than God?Īs God brings things to mind, ask for His forgiveness.Īnd remember, there is no shame in repentance. Psalm 66:18 says, “If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened” (New Living Translation). Examine Your Lifeīegin 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. And he kept asking.īut 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.Īs 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.
In his pain and suffering, he cried out to God. The Bible tells the story of a man named Job who was well-acquainted with God’s silence. And this silence can be difficult, frustrating, even excruciating. We may earnestly seek God but, in return, only sense His silence. But sometimes, God is silent.Īs believers, we’ve all been there - or will be.
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