Have you ever been in a season where you couldn’t hear God’s voice? For a follower of Jesus Christ I don’t know of anything more frightening. Recently I have come thru a season of…
Silence from God.
It was one of the most bewildering, frustrating and annoying times of my life! You see, I believe I can face anything as long as I know I can hear God’s voice. I just don’t need to read that God is with me in scripture. I need to hear and feel that He is with me. Consequently, the silent season ended up being a season of depression for me.
I heard something this week that would have been so encouraging and helpful to hear in that silent season. It was from a guy I really don’t know much about…his name is Jentezen Franklin. Jentezen shared that in human relationships we stop talking to each other when we get angry and mad…you know, we freeze one another out. God, however, is not a human relationship. One of His primary roles in His relationship with us is in the form of…
Teacher.
A teacher will be highly engaged and teach you, train you and talk to you for days, weeks, months, and even years preparing you. But once they believe you are ready for the test…they pass out the exam…and then they remain silent. They are still present but silent. The test is to see how much you have really learned.
I believe this rich nugget of wisdom could have been a game changer for me. I internalized God’s silence as anger for me and not testing. Perhaps I could have graduated a little earlier from that silent season. Who knows? Either way, the good news is by God’s grace, I’m still here and kicking in faith and thank God I can hear His voice again!
But wait…that means He’s preparing me for another test. I don’t know about you, but I love hanging out with the teacher. I don’t really care so much for His test. I guess that’s why He’s the TEACHER and I’m the disciple.
Thank you for that Buddy. At the beginning of this fast I could sense God’s presence all the time -the last few days I’ve been down because it feels like I’m all alone. I’m so glad you shared that with us. Also, it’s so strange, but I just recently saw Jentezen Franklin on TBN and I bought his book on fasting. He’s the one who I first heard about fasting from and then you challenged our church ! God is amazing!!
Kim, Very Cool. Kind of ironic huh? Keep up the great work….don’t fake it…faith it!
Buddy, you’re timing is with this post is uncanny. You’ve really given me something to think about here. My relationship with God is very new and still pretty fragile. I still haven’t gotten to where I “hear” God’s voice- which is why I have been doing the fast, because I want to get to that point- but I do believe that He has shown me things, and there has been times when I have felt Him. But since starting the fast, I have encountered a string of events that has left me really devastated. And throughout this whole ordeal, I have been wondering why it feels like God has abandoned me. I have also lost most of my spiritual support system, which has made me feel even more as if I am completely on my own. Some really tough stuff to deal with! Would God test someone who was only just beginning to walk forward in faith?
Debbie, I’m grateful the timing was right for the post.
As far as Gods voice…what I mean by that ….is an impression…like when you hear Gods word…and you feel like its talking right to you……or even how God used this post to encourage you.
To answer your question my take is …I believe the whole journey of faith is a test….that’s why its faith. Whether new in the faith or been around a while….it dosn’t matter….its all faith.
Gods best to you….congrats on your fast….great question! Keep it up!
Thanks Buddy. There have been SOOOOOO many times when I have felt like your words during the service were speaking right to me- I really believe that God uses you and speaks to us all through you!
Debbie, That what scripture does….btw…wanted to let you know That Jesus said he will never leave or forsake us….it also says in Romans 8 that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ……so its impossible for God to abandon you….He may get quiet….but He will never leave you.
Thank-you Buddy for this bit of wisdom! I too am in the ‘learning’ stage, yet I know God has been with through some ‘horrible’ situations, even Before I turned my life over to Him. Which has increased my faith ten fold. Every morning when I walk outside (first thing) it’s still dark and I see the moon and the stars, hear the silence, breathe in the cold fresh air, and pray, telling Him “this is the day YOU have made Lord, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!” Starts my day out so grateful. When I don’t feel His presence, I know it’s time to “be still” and commune with Him. How blessed we all are to really, really know Him!!! I thank God for you and NC,it has changed my life!