The Silent God

Sometimes God is silent.

Well, maybe he isn't silent, maybe we have a hard time listening. 

The Psalmist seemed to struggle with this. He was so dependent on hearing God and being heard that his next breathe seemed to be wrapped up in it.

The Israelites lived under a silent God for nearly 400 years, until he answered them.

For three days, Jesus remained silent from a tomb.

God (at times) chooses to remain silent.

I don't understand it. I hate it. It frightens me.

The super Sunday School Christian knows how to respond to the quiet:

"Jesus said all he needed to say through the cross."

True. But hopefully, there's more to relationship than that. Hopefully, all Christians want more.

This week has been one of those times where God seems silent in my life. It isn't the first and probably won't be the last time.

There have been a lot of ups and downs over the last few weeks for my family and close friends. I'm still waking up before the sun to spend time in prayer and studying the word. I'm reading C.S. Lewis for goodness sake (that alone should make someone hear something from God).

But God seems to be quiet.

It's funny but I'm learning that silent doesn't mean far away. Silence doesn't mean hidden or ignored. Even though God is quiet, it doesn't mean he isn't near. I trust that he's here. I trust in him when he's loud and when he's quiet.

Have you ever gone through a time when God seemed silent?