Because He’s God
There are times when God is silent and we really don’t have a clue why. That is exactly what happened to Job. Job was a righteous man – a pillar of the community – a godly father and a hard worker. Yet, in a moment of time, his world came crashing in on him in monumental proportions.
In one day, he lost all of his children and all of his livestock. Illness then began to ravage his body leaving excruciating boils festering with pain. His wife, overcome with her own grief, told him to curse God and die. His friends had dubbed him a secret sinner, because in their minds, tragedies like Job’s only happened to the vilest of sinners.
In contrast to their conclusion, it was not Job’s sin but his righteousness that caused his calamities. When you’re serving God and trying to lead your family to do the same, seeing the bottom drop out from under your feet can be a hard thing to swallow.
Job maintained his integrity (Job 27:3-5), but he really didn’t have a clue why he was going through such a difficult time in his life. He cried out to God…but God was silent. In Job 30:20, Job told the Lord, “I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer. I stand before You, but you don’t even look.”
Job was experiencing a serious season of silence from God…it was unexplainable; and when he called on God, he received no explanation.
Job was never told why he had to experience such tragedy and heartache, but we are told that Job was given twice as much as he had to start with. His lost children could never be replaced, but he came through that season of silence with his integrity in tact and his faith affirmed.
We don’t always get to know why God chooses seasons of silence in our lives. But when God’s silence is deafening, we can rest in the reality that His silence does not mean that He is absent, nor does His silence mean that He is inactive. He is with us, He sees us and He is at work in our present circumstances.
Like a beautiful painting hanging in a museum. We never see the artist at work as he carefully brushes each stroke of vivid color on the blank canvas. We never hear a sound. We only see that he has secretly created something beautiful for the world to behold. When God places us in a season of silence, we may not see Him at work, but He is creating a beautiful masterpiece out of the blank canvas of our lives that the world may behold our heavenly Artist at work in His creation.
There’s an old poem written on a cellar wall in Cologne, Germany,where the Jews were hidden during World War II, which says:
“I believe in the sun, even when it isn’t shining.
I believe in love, even when I’m alone.
I believe in God, even when He’s silent.”
I hope this series has helped you get a clearer biblical picture of the various reasons why we might experience a season of silence. Perhaps this series may have even helped you pinpoint the reason for your own season of silence. I pray it has, sweet friend…I pray it has!
GOING DEEPER:
Are you experiencing a season of silence in some area of your life? Review the examples given and ask the Lord if there’s something He wants to show you today.
If you’re being tested by God’s silence, write out some ways you can successfully pass the test, with your integrity in tact and your faith affirmed.
Job refused to put God in a box – like we all try to do. We want to control everything in life and God cannot be controlled. He is THE CONTROLLER!
One of my greatest lessons through times of silence is to let go of the reins. We are so programmed to have all the answers, have everything order (especially as women) but God wants us to depend totally on Him. He tells us it is what He wants that is important and what is best for us – even if we can’t see that at the moment.
Robin ~ You are absolutely right. It boils down to a control issue – even when we are perplexed by what we go through…wondering why we are going through it…trusting that God sees us but wondering why we can’t see Him do anything about it.
I’m so thankful He not only sees us and hears the cry of our hearts, but He is always working behind the scenes of our lives!
Thanks for reminding us that we don’t have all the answers, but we can rest in the One who does – even when He’s silent! :-)
Oh Stephanie! This is really good. Thank you. I am teaching our ladies class this Sunday morning and am sharing snapshots out of Job’s life. I hope you don’t mind if I use your illustration about the artist and his beautiful painting. This has really hit home with me this week as I continue navigating through some deafening silence and a seemingly endless time in the waiting room of life. I shared with a dear friend yesterday how endeared I am to her simply because of her walk with Christ. I have yet to meet you personally, emphasis on “yet” ;-) , Stephanie, but your sound, biblical insight and genuine walk with Christ endears me to you as well.
Shelly ~ I’m honored for you to use that! So glad the Lord has linked our paths. I think our hearts pound to the same beat…to know Him and make Him know!
Can’t wait until “yet” becomes “finally”! :-)
(Praying for your silent season now!)
I love it when I stumble upon places I haven’t been before!
I really like the Going Deeper Section, and I can’t wait to click around some more!
Amy ~ So glad you stumbled upon us! Hope you enjoy digging with us! :-)