July 23, 2023
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NRSV)
Have you experienced a time when God appeared to be silent in your life? You prayed and prayed, and nothing seemed to happen. You may have asked the question “Why are there times when God seems silent or absent in the life of a Born-again Believer in Christ?
The truth is, as Believers in Christ, it may appear that God is silent, however, He is never silent! He is actively involved in every area of the Believer’s life. What often looks like silence and inactivity to us is God allowing us the opportunity to listen to “the still small voice” and to see the provisions that He has made for us by faith. God is involved, however, there are times when we have to walk in obedience to the light that God has given us before He sheds more light on our path, as He speaks to us through His Word.
In addition, God often works behind the scenes of our lives. His activity and intervention in our lives are not always readily apparent or immediately visible. However, He is actively involved in orchestrating events, guiding situations and circumstances, and shaping our lives, even when we may not be aware of His presence or workings at the moment.
Throughout the Bible, we see numerous examples of God working behind the scenes to accomplish His purposes. For example, in the book of Genesis, the story of Joseph shows how God used a series of seemingly unrelated events, such as Joseph being sold into slavery and later imprisoned, to position him as a key leader in Egypt and ultimately save his family and the people of Egypt from famine.
Another example is found in the book of Esther, where God’s providential hand is evident as He works through seemingly ordinary events to deliver the Jewish people from destruction. While God’s name is not explicitly mentioned in the book, His fingerprints are evident in the strategic placement of Esther as queen and the series of events that unfold to bring about their deliverance
The Fact is That God Often Works Behind The Scenes of Our Lives,
He Provides us With Several Important Truths:
- God is Sovereign: He has ultimate control and authority over all things. Even when we cannot see or understand what is happening, we can trust that God is working out His plan and purposes for our lives.
- Trust and Faith: It calls us to trust in God’s faithfulness and character, even in times of uncertainty or when we cannot see the full picture. It challenges us to have faith that God is at work, even if we cannot perceive it at the moment.
- Humility and Surrender: Recognizing that God works behind the scenes nurtures humility within us. It reminds us that we are not always in control and that we need to surrender our own agendas and plans to God’s ultimate purposes.
- Gratitude and Reflection: Reflecting on past experiences of God’s hidden work can deepen our gratitude and trust in Him. It encourages us to look back and acknowledge the ways in which God has been faithful and present, even when we were unaware of His hand at the time.
Ultimately, understanding that God often works behind the scenes invites us to live with a sense of expectation and trust in His providence. It encourages us to seek Him, rely on Him, and embrace the journey of faith, knowing that He is actively working for our good, even when we cannot immediately see or comprehend His workings.
Because God is God and the Creator of the universe, He has Sovereign rule! He is in control of the world, and nothing escapes Him. Sovereignly, God reserves the right to do whatever, whenever, to whomever He desires. He works in His time – not ours! He has ultimate control and authority over all things. Even when we cannot see or understand what is happening, we can trust that God is working out His plan and purposes for our lives.
Interestingly, to some degree, life is predictable! Life is often flowing and receding, providing a cycle of day and night, and growth and decline. In our attempt to adapt to this balance, we strive for long-term stability and absolute certainty. But in reality, instability is threaded throughout life’s natural order. Unexpected events can occur at any time, and regardless of how well we plan and prepare, the future is uncertain.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower, and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:8-11 (NRSV)
A TRUSTING 
HEART: Speaking of God being silent may be understood in several ways.
- Testing and Refining our Faith: God’s silence can serve as a test of faith. The Story of Job is a powerful example! Job endured great suffering, and during that time, God appeared silent. This silence tested Job’s trust and perseverance in God’s character and sovereignty. Ultimately, God spoke to Job and revealed Himself, demonstrating the purpose behind His silence.
- Sin and Disobedience: In some cases, God’s silence can be a response to our sin and disobedience. The Book of Isaiah describes the cycle of sin, a time when the people of Israel were engaged in rebellion and idolatry. As a result, God remained silent and did not respond to their cries for help. This silence served as a consequence of their actions, highlighting the importance of repentance and obedience.
- Spiritual Growth and Maturity: Sometimes, as Believers in Christ may go through seasons where they do not receive immediate answers to their prayers or experience a sense of God’s presence. God’s silence can also be seen as an opportunity for spiritual growth and maturity. These periods can be challenging but can also deepen one’s faith, trust, and reliance on God, as we learn to seek Him even when He seems silent.
- Preparation and Timing: God’s silence may occur when He is preparing individuals for a specific task or aligning events according to His timing. For example, there were four centuries of prophetic silence between the Old Testament and the birth of Jesus Christ. During this time, God was silently working behind the scenes, setting the stage for the coming of the Messiah.
- Drawing Closer to God: In some instances, God’s apparent silence can be an invitation to draw closer to Him. The psalmist David often expressed his anguish and longing for God’s voice in the midst of difficult circumstances. However, he also recognized the need to wait patiently and seek God’s presence in times of silence. It is in these moments that individuals can deepen their intimacy with God and experience His comfort and guidance.
While these explanations provide some insights into the concept of God’s silence in biblical contexts, it is important to note that God’s ways are far beyond human comprehension. His silence should not be interpreted as rejection or abandonment and/or indifference, but rather as an invitation to seek Him more fervently, trust in His character, and grow in your faith.
FATHER GOD: Thank You for Your Word that gives us clear instructions on what we are to believe. Help us to walk in obedience to the light You have given us. Help us to patiently wait for You to shed more light on our path, as we walk and live with a sense of expectation and trust in Your providence. Help us to seek You, rely on You, and embrace the journey with faith, knowing that You are actively working for our good, even when we cannot immediately see or comprehend how You are working in our lives. Thank You, Father, for being a Sovereign, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient Father and we can trust You with our lives, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!