“Have you thought about it this way? Maybe God is trusting you with His silence.” Tracy McCarthy
There have been times in my relationship with God where I’ve seen Him work miracles in my life and in those around me. Other times, He has spoken so clearly I know that I know that I know what He wants me to do. Sometimes I take that closeness and His direct communication with me for granted.
I’ve talked many times throughout my blog about how God doesn’t change. What He’s done for and with people in the Bible, He’s willing to do in my life, and He’s wanting to do for you as well. However, sometimes what God does for people in the Bible, for me, and also at times for you doesn’t always look “happy,” but always has a greater purpose.
As much as I love the times God speaks clearly, there are many more times in my life where He has been silent…for what seems like a long time. And I have a great friend who patiently reminds me of His silence in the life of Abraham.
For those who aren’t as familiar with Abraham, in James 2:23, many years after Abraham had died, it states, “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.” (NIV) Yet even though God called Abraham His friend, He was silent with Abraham for 13 years. Also, in Job 34:28 it states, “But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him?”(NIV), referring to when God was silent with Job as well.
I struggled with what I perceived as silence from God during our recent trial. In the summer of 2013, with the first reduction in my income, God gave me Exodus 14:13-14 to cling to, reassuring me He would fight for us, I only needed to be still. That promise was fulfilled as God showed me throughout the months how He wanted me to work on decreasing our monthly expenses versus increasing or replacing my income. In January 2014, God revealed that He had weeded out some activities in my life (i.e. my reduced income) to make room for a new assignment He wanted me to begin. When He spoke one year ago, I knew that I knew that I knew I was where He wanted me. So, when I found out my income would be gone, I fasted, hoping to hear directly from God what He wanted me to do. After the three days, while I had the faith muscle from the past to know He was going to take care of us (as well as the sweet interaction and reminder of past promises from the night before), I didn’t “hear” what direction He wanted me to take. The only thing I “heard” was “keep doing what you’re doing,” but I wasn’t even sure that was from God or wishful thinking. I didn’t hear Him loudly or clearly with a new assignment, a new verse – nothing. Just silence.
Come back next time and I will explain how one of my pastor’s wives helped me put this into the right perspective.
© Cheri Swalwell 2015