Navigating Life When God Answers with Silence

Now what, Lord? You said in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to Me and I will answer you.” And Jesus said in Luke 11:9, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Well, I’ve done all those things and all I get is SILENCE! Are You trying to tell me something?

Have you ever said this or felt like this before? I have! So, whenever I run into a brick wall, I have to step back and see what God’s Word says about it. (Obviously, I have to be sure I’m not allowing the distractions of the world to drown out God’s voice.) Here are some things I’ve discovered:

1. Silence Can Be Deafening! Have you ever heard this saying…“What’s NOT spoken speaks louder than what is!” Many of us interpret silence as a scream of disagreement, disapproval or disregard!

2. God Can Answer You by Saying: “Yes, No or Wait!” We all like the “Yes’s” from God. We don’t like the “No’s”, but we have to trust His wisdom. But this “Wait” stuff really gets on our nerves!

3. But I find that “Waiting” is actually good for us. Why? Because…

♦ During the Silence, God is strengthening our character.

♦ During the Silence God is strengthening our faith…to trust Him no matter what!

♦ During the Silence, God is allowing us to prepare our lives for the future.

♦ During the Silence, God is working some things out for us when the time is right.

4. Silence Presses Us to Remember the Last Word God Spoke to Us. God’s silence can also be His way of saying, “You’re on the right track. Just hold on to the last word I gave you.”

♦ God gave Joseph a dream to reveal his destiny as a ruler (Gen. 37:5-11). But He was silent for 13 years while Joseph was in prison…until the time was ready to fulfill His Word! (Ps. 105:16-21)

♦ Jesus cried out to God three times in the Garden to be spared from the horror He would be facing (Matt. 26:39-44). But the Father was silent! Jesus knew His Father had already spoken to Him about the end result of His suffering (John 12:27-28).

So, what shall we do when God answers with SILENCE? Trust Him, strengthen yourself and follow the last word He spoke to you. Listen in the silence, my friend, and you’ll hear the still small voice of God echoing in your heart. God has gone before you; He is with you and will not forsake you (Deut. 31:8)!

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