In the Silence

Silence. It’s one of those things I have a love, dislike relationship with. For instance, I love the quietness of the early morning or sitting in God’s presence with no sound, just thinking. On the contrary, I am not a fan of singularly engaging in conversation with an individual, being met by silence. But more than an individual’s non-responsiveness; silence from the Lord is something I dislike, yet I am coming to an understanding of it. I am sure that you can relate to times, maybe even seasons when it felt as if God had gone completely silent. Often times, what we perceive as silence from God actually comes from our lack of making ourselves available to Him. It’s not always enough to just wait on Him to speak in the midst of our over-busyness. Sometimes, we must intentionally avail ourselves to Him. Seeking Him, His thoughts and His heart. Coming before Him silently, giving ourselves time to think about Who we’re approaching before we find ourselves approaching Him as if He’s common.

There were many biblical figures and heroes of our faith, who were no strangers to constant communion with God. They lived a life of consecration, prioritizing time with the King of Kings. But one of them in particular, who was a close friend of God, whom God would speak with regularly; would also experience extensive silence from the Lord. Thirteen years of it. This person is Abram, also known as Abraham.

See, just prior to this quietness from God; Abram had chosen to listen to the voice of another over God’s voice. His belief in God’s promises wavered. One of those promises being a son. However, as many years went by and both Abram and his wife, Sarah grew old; she would convince eighty-six year old Abram to sleep with her servant in order to bare a son. The plan works and Ishmael is born of Abram and Hagar. However, it was a plan made outside of the wisdom and will of the Lord. A plan that stemmed from fear, panic and distrust. A plan that suggested that God didn’t know what He was doing. A plan that likely initiated God’s silence for thirteen years.

The thought of no communication from God for that long seems unfathomable. However, I believe that God, being wise in all of His ways; possibly revealed Himself to Abram in minuet ways. Inaudible ways of course. Yet, I think He still used silence to develop Abram through those quiet years. Think about it. God’s love is never changing and never ending, so we know His silence isn’t some form of harsh treatment. Therefore, we can even rule that out for ourselves. For those of us who go into panic mode when we can no longer hear God the way we did in a previous season; we can know that it is not because He’s withdrawn His love from us. That’s not how He operates.

However, silence could be used for us to seek Him more diligently. It could be because He is revealing Himself to us in other ways, if we dare pay attention. It’s possible His silence could cause us to lean on the things He has previously taught us and determine to live by His ways, even without the evidence of His voice. Whatever, the reason there’s always a lesson to be learned, for our own good. One that would shape our personal and spiritual development. How can I be so sure of this? Well because of what happens when God does finally speak to Abram again. Genesis 17:1-5 records,

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.

 2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.”

3 At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, 

4 “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! 

5 What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. “

The first words God spoke to Abram; was a reminder of Who He is -God Almighty. The God Who there is nothing too hard for. I wonder if Abram had forgotten that over the years. Or if his remembrance of the One he’d once walked closely with lingered on his mind. The Lord then invites Abram back into servanthood when He says, “Serve me faithfully.” -Not that I think Abram ever stopped serving the Lord. Thirdly, God doesn’t bring up Abram’s act of disobedience directly; rather He makes a covenant with Abram, promising him, “I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” This time in God’s perfect way. I adore God for always giving us what we need, when we need it. God didn’t chastise Abram’s past, rather He confirmed the promises of his future. 

God’s great love and faithfulness has the ability to leave us completely speechless, as it did Abram in verse three, “Abram fell face down on the ground.” When we recognize God’s wholeness and our frailty, His willingness in our weaknesses; how can we not bow in reverence to Him? Whatever happened in those thirteen years of silence, had to have developed Abram greatly. Why? Because God then, changed Abram’s name to Abraham. “What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.“ Not for for no reason, but his new name, matched the identity given to him by God. Abraham - The father of many nations. Though physically, the promise hadn’t’t yet come to pass; God was securing Abraham in advance. The entire Genesis 17 entails our mighty yet tender God, speaking identity, revelation and His perfect will, concerning Abraham and his descendants. A chapter full of promises to Abraham, came after silence because God’s silence was not the end.

Sis, what has God told you about you? I hope you believe it even without the evidence. I hope you take our Almighty God at His Word, knowing that He doesn’t lie and His Word does not return void. I hope you live with an awareness that there are things written, concerning you in heavenly places, knowing God can easily bring them to pass with your surrender. Occasionally, it can be hard to hear Him. But in those times, we must drown out the noise to hear His voice. Other times, we may get quietness from Him. In those instances, we can think back to the last thing He revealed to us. Have we obeyed His last instruction? Have we discarded a previous promise from Him that we need to reclaim? Have we sought Him for ourselves in His Word? Have we set aside intentional time to express the things in our heart to Him and waited for His response?

No matter your answer, we can start today. Enjoying the voice of God so that we will be sustained in the silence of God. If you’re already in a silent season; don’t take it personal. Let Abraham’s testimony encourage you to embrace what God is trying to teach you in the silence. Don’t question yourself out of the promises He has made to you, just because you’ve fallen short or extensive time has passed. I assure you, that our gracious God can and will use anything to bring about His promises in His timing. Whether sound or silence; He’s always working.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for being an ever-present God, even when we can’t hear You. We thank You for inviting us into intimacy with You. That we can come to You about any and everything. Help us today, to drown out the noise so that we can hear You more clearly. Help us to wholeheartedly seek You and find You. And when You are silent Father, help us to remain steadfast and not lose hope. When we fall short, keep us from condemnation and the lie of the enemy that tells us we’re unusable. We know that You can do all things, Lord. And because I am in Christ Jesus, I can too. Whether sound or silence, God help us to seek You. And in Your time, may all that You’ve written of us, come to pass. Thank You in advance, Way Maker. 

In Jesus’s name, amen.