“You’re quiet. Are you mad at me?”
“I haven’t heard from you today. Is everything ok?”
“No one is saying anything. I wonder if I should peek. Maybe I’m the only one with my head still bowed.”
It’s funny how silences bother us. At a home prayer meeting recently, our pastor advised us that there may be times when no one prays. Don’t be uncomfortable in those silent times, he said. Hmm, I’ll try.
At home, my husband sits with the iPad and doesn’t say a word for half an hour. Or my friend hasn’t called or e-mailed for a day or two. I wonder if I’ve done something wrong. I wonder if they’re mad at me. I need words of affirmation to know everything is a-o-k.
More often than I care to admit, it’s the same with me and my time with God. I don’t feel like I’ve heard from Him. I rarely get that special “Rhema” word. He’s silent, and I wonder if He hears me at all. I wonder if everything is ok.
Do you have those times?
A well respected, Godly woman in our church explain God’s silences as His trust of us. She referred to this devotion by Oswald Chambers (http://utmost.org/god’s-silence—-then-what/). What? God trusts us? Really? What does that mean?
Perhaps when we have those dry spells (the ones where we don’t have the feeling of actually hearing God and getting that all important word from Him), maybe He DOES trust us. Perhaps He sees that we are automatically walking in His will – it has become ingrained in us. Like children growing up, who can be left alone in their room to play, He sees that we are maturing. We don’t have to be spoon fed and hand led as much.
He does still speaks to us. But maybe we don’t need to be as concerned with the long silences. Yes, it’s still ok to ask Him for a word, to let Him know we depend on Him and not ourselves. As we grow, perhaps He trusts us more. Trust is a confidence placed in someone who is faithful and reliable. The more faithful we are to Him, the more He trusts us.
In His silence, we will learn to walk by faith and not by sight. More confident, if you will, that we are walking closely with Him in intimacy. We will discover anew that He is reliable. We may even strain just a bit harder to hear Him. And in that expectant listening, we find that He has been there all along.
His silence is allowing me to get to the place where I can say “I love Him, even though I haven’t seen Him. And even when I don’t see Him, I believe in Him and trust that He is there. I am filled with a glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8).”
I know my husband intimately. I KNOW sometimes what his answer to a question will be, or his reaction to a situation. I KNOW some things I choose to do won’t make him happy, and other things I do will delight him. John doesn’t verbally give me his opinion on every situation, but he doesn’t have to. He trusts me to do the right thing.
This concept of God trusting us is the same principle. Trust is earned. God trusts us when He knows we are reliable.
“But not with my servant Moses. Of all my house, he is the one I trust.” Numbers 12:7
I want to be a person God trusts. How about you?
Grace be with you,
Ellen, what a great message! A friend & I were just talking about the silent times, when you feel like God doesn’t speak to you. It can sometimes make you feel dried up and alone. I LOVE your thought that He trusts us. When I go through those times, I often feel like it’s something I’m doing. I know He’s always there, so I assume it’s something I’m doing. But maybe, maybe He trusts me. What a powerful word! I was thinking about you this morning! God knew I needed to hear this message. Thanks for sharing it. Have a great weekend!
I am so glad this post ministered to you today Alisa! I know when I don’t seem to hear from Him, I tend to flounder around, wandering aimlessly. I’m so glad you stopped by. Hey, we need to plan a meet up!
I’ve never noticed that Scripture before, Ellen. You’re giving me something to chew on.
Ooooh, Kristi, I love when I can give people something to chew on! Dig into His word, my friend and see what He says to you! Love you, friend! Thanks for popping over!
Hi Ellen! I love the idea that silence means God trusts me. Wow, that’s quite a concept. I usually figure that I’m not being attentive enough. This is a much more comforting word. Thank you!
I completely understand your example with your husband. My mom would communicate silently with us sometimes. We knew from a tilt of a head, or the cast-off shoes in her hand what we had to do. Maybe God is like that too.
Blessings,
Ceil
Ceil, I can just imagine your mom’s looks! I think there is a universal “mom language” they all use to convey what must be done, and when it must be done! So glad you popped over today, friend!
What a thought provoking post, Ellen. I appreciate the idea that the Lord’s silence might mean He is trusting us. What a thought! I am visiting today from Lisha at Give Me Grace as your neighbor on the linkup. So glad I did! Blessings on your day!
Hi Pam, welcome! I’m so glad you dropped by, and so glad the post was food for thought. I’m heading over to visit you now! I love meeting new neighbors! Blessings to you today!
Ellen, I love this insight. It’s a perspective-shifter on those times of quiet … that they would signal His trust. I’ll be holding onto your words while I wait on His. Sweet blessings to you, friend. : )
So glad you visited today Crystal! And I’m so happy this post ministered to you!
Wow Ellen! What a comforting and encouraging post. I love that fact that God trusts us because He knows our heart is seeking Him. Sometimes the quiet can cause anxiety but I must remember that God is always watching and know he wants the best for me! Thank you for sharing; I am so pleased to visit your site today via Intentional Tuesday. What a beautiful site. I love what you are dong here. Blessings to you and yours!
Hi Horace! Thanks for popping in today! I’m so glad you found the post comforting and encouraging. That makes my heart sing!I love the name of your website! I’m moseying over to visit now. Blessings to you!
I love that 1 Peter verse. Yes, we walk by faith and believe Him even when we do not see Him. I also want to be a person God can trust. And even when I fail Him, I want to keep trusting Him.
Amen, Betsy, even when we fail Him, our faith and trust will run deep!
Really enjoyed your post today, Ellen – the idea that God trusts us enough to lengthen our reach a bit. I’ve had many moments when I’ve wondered if God hears, but I remind myself that His silence isn’t an indication of His absence – He is always with us, after all. Thanks for sharing this encouragement. I’m glad to be your neighbor at #tellhisstory.
Hi Tiffany, so glad the post ministered to you today! I love the way you expressed it – He lengthens our reach. Great analogy. Thank you for visiting!
I love how God provides what we need just when we need it!… Found this today, months after you originally posted it but it was what I needed, today! So glad He has revealed this ministry to you so that others are being reached for His Kingdom 🙂 May God continue to richly bless you as you seek to follow His leadership in your life <3
Debbie, you are such an encouragement to me! Thank you friend! Yes, I love God’s timing, it is always perfect!