Have you ever felt like God is not speaking to you? I know I have experienced a time when I felt that way. Since seeing the movie “Silence” by Martin Scorsese recently, I have pondered God’s silence. The show caused my husband and me much discussion on the subject as well as other topics brought up in the film. I highly recommend the movie but be aware; it will challenge you in many ways.

Psalm 28:1 “To You, O LORD, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me, For if You are silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit.” (NAS)

Is God ever really silent?
I saw a quote in an article by Jon Bloom that explained “God’s silence is how it feels, it’s not how it is” I think this statement goes directly to the heart of the issue, God’s silence is a perception, not a reality. So, if God is not silent, then what is keeping us from hearing Him?

I think sometimes we misunderstand the situation as we try to view it in human terms. As Isaiah 55:8 explains below, God’s ways are not our ways. We believe He is silent because we do not understand His ways. God may have a purpose for allowing us to perceive a period of silence.

• Maybe God is speaking in a very soft whisper. God wants our full attention when He speaks.
• The more God lets us feel alone, the more we might earnestly seek Him.
• The noise of the world might drown out His voice. Our constant connection to our electronics can be deafening.
• Our sins may scream louder than God’s small, still voice. Sometimes repentance must happen first.

Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.” (NIV)

A period of silence is not the time to give up. There are steps you can take to make your way through the perceived dessert.

• Keep on praying and talking to God. He is always listening even when you can not hear Him.
• Turn to His written word, the Bible, to seek His words for you.
  Examine your heart and life.
• Find a quiet time and a place just to listen for the voice of Christ to speak.

Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (NIV)

Blessings,

Yvonne, Blogger, speaker and author

Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”