When God is Silent
Everyone of us have gone through a desert period in our lives where we are seeking to hear from the Lord yet no matter how much we pray, we hear silence. Has God forgotten us? Why does He seem silent when we are desperate and crying out to Him. When I am personally in this time of my life I am reminded how many times David cried out, “God have you forgotten me?” We know that He has not but we struggle in times of silence. I have been trying to write this blog for about a month now and as I wrote and rewrote quite a few drafts in my mind, my 17 year old daughter sent me this blog. It says all I have been thinking and I pray that it speaks to you as well.
Dr. Matthew Tanner
The Wounded Pastor
When God is Silent.
In Psalm 13 we find David desperately calling out to God for deliverance. David’s enemies were hot on his trail and the trials were weighing heavily on him both physically and spiritually. In this moment of fear David looks to God for an answer. Psalm 13:1 says, “How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?” David was becoming impatient with the silence.
As crazy as it seems, silence can be deafening. It can surround you and cause you to doubt if anyone is even listening. While we are not promised an immediate answer from God, silence is not the end. Psalm 16:8-10 says, “I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh will also dwell securely.” David knew that God would guide him through the trials of life, and through the silence he rested upon this promise.
I experienced something similar to this when my mom had brain surgery. Each night leading up to and during her surgery I stared into the stillness wondering, hoping she would be okay. It was like a fly that no matter how much I tried to swat away, the fear came roaring back. I remember praying to God saying, “I can’t do this without her.” No matter how much I prayed and prayed fear crept into the stillness. God did answer our prayers when my mom made it through the surgery and is still recovering faster than anticipated. As much as I would have loved an immediate response from God, that is not how it works. Even through the fear of the surgery I can say for certain that God never left our side.
Each of us will encounter a trial at some point in our lives. No matter the circumstances God will never leave you to fight it alone. He is always there for you even when it may seem silent. God works in the silence to bring about His will at His perfect timing. God showed His power through my mom’s surgery in a way that no man could take credit for. Only He knows the best way to handle your situation. So remember even in the silent waiting, God is crafting your story!
Sarah Tanner
