July 19, 2016

The silence of God is often presumed to be the absence of God. If He doesn't speak, then He must not be there. 

"Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You. Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to You I cry all day long." (Psalm 86.1-3) 

David was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13.22), and yet he experienced periods of God's silence, as many of us do. Silence is not indicative of disfavor. 

The covenant Hebrews people experienced four hundred and thirty years of extreme hardship through slavery in Egypt while God was silent. Generations lived and died amidst the silence and hardship; not living to see His divine deliverance through Moses. And, there was a period of silence lasting approximately four hundred years, from the last prophetic word through Malachi until the voice in the wilderness of John the baptist was heard. Putting it in perspective, these are periods of silence nearly twice the length of time the United States has existed as a nation. 

So, is God's momentary silence in our lives really all that long? However long the silence might be, it is a time to walk steadily in faith. It is a testament to faith that He trusts us to walk on amidst His silence. 

Regardless of whether we sense His voice, He listens and cares. He is faithful to "preserve our soul" (verse 2), and be ever gracious to us. 

Walk on in faith today, faithful friend.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2016
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