“The silence of God’s voice will make you wonder if He is even there. And the absence of God’s presence will make you wonder if He even cares. He is. And He does.”- Chuck Swindoll
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far from me when I call for help? Each day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift up my voice, but I find no relief.”- Psalm 22:1-2 (NLT)
In Chapter 3 (“Holding On When God is Silent”) of Holding On, Sheila Walsh notes that she found help to questions about the silence of God’s voice in the book of Job. Because Job, a righteous and godly man, asked God a lot of questions. Yet, Job failed to receive one single answer.
However, although Job wanted answers, God actually gave him much more. God gave Job Himself. Sheila explains:
“When someone is suffering and in pain, when they feel as if God has turned His face away, there are no answers big enough to help. In times like those, we don’t need answers; we need His presence. . . .need His peace. We need one another.”
Above all, Sheila underscores, all of heaven celebrates when you choose to love God despite the suffering, grief, loss, and pain you’re walking through. And this torments Satan to no end! So, since Satan finds himself powerless to impact God, he sets his sights on us. Furthermore, Satan scores a victory when he convinces us to look at our circumstances and then question the love of God.
In conclusion, Warren Wiersbe writes in his Bible commentary about the final chapter of Job:
“We must not misinterpret this final chapter and conclude that every trial will end with all problems solved, all hard feelings forgiven, and everyone living ‘Happily ever after.’ It doesn’t always happen that way! This chapter insures us that, no matter what happened to us, God always writes the last chapter.”
Today’s question: What Scriptures help you when you encounter the silence of God’s voice? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Out of difficulties grow miracles”
