God Is in His Silence Now

As believers, we’ve all been there —finding ourselves in a crisis, praying about it, and expecting God to come through, but nothing happens.

We have quoted every promise we know about the situation, and in return, we sense God’s silence. I know. I have been there too many times to count, and the silence can be difficult, frustrating even. But here’s what I always learn through the silence: God is not obligated to answer all my prayers. He doesn’t have to inform me or let me know anything. Why? Because He is God! He understands what I am going through and speaks louder in His silence. Too often, we are so focused on the crisis at hand that we forget to listen to what God is saying in and through what appears to be His silence.

My sisters, I want to encourage you to stop and listen to what God is saying. Recognize that His silence can be intimate.

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.

To Lazarus’s sisters, Mary and Martha, Jesus’ silence could have been interpreted as neglect —that Jesus did not care about or want to help them.

This mirrors many of the emotions we feel when God does not immediately answer our cries for help. But in Jesus’ silence, we, along with Mary and Martha, are drawn into a new closeness to God and understanding of His power.

Although God may seem silent regarding a specific request or petition, remember that He is constantly communicating 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 intentions for us as His children and His followers. 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. As you read the Bible, ask God to speak to you through the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of you. Just because God seems silent doesn’t mean you should doubt Him or stop praying. His silence may be a call for deeper intimacy.

Trust that God is in control, and look for what He is doing behind the scenes.

Beverley Martin