What to Do When God is Silent
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August 7, 2006We’ve been getting excellent input on our BLOG page and I want to interrupt our series on being “just” to answer a great question from “Karen” that I believe most of us have. Do we move forward on something we have prayed about when we have heard no specific answer? It will take more than this email to answer that question, but here goes…
I believe we are leaders in training and God is training us up to rule and reign with Christ for eternity. Part of maturing is the ability to make wise decisions and I believe God is often silent so that we will be forced to make a decision and learn from the consequences. If we make a poor decision, He will help us recover and we will learn immensely from it. Haven’t you learned more from your bad decisions than your good ones? I have!
On the job is one of the primary places where we learn to steward the people and resources God has entrusted to us. We pick up skills that we will carry past the grave and into eternity. If God gave us all the answers for every decision, we would remain as babes in Christ. Isn’t it a wonderful thing when you see your children reach the point in their lives when they make solid decisions that you can be proud of, independent of your input? Sure, we are there for our kids, but sometimes we want them to stretch so they will have the maturity to steward the inheritance that is coming.
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Michael: What you think is worth while I guess. But I believe we should be seeking answers to our questions in the Bible. There is too much \"I think\" in the world and not enough of what does God say. So how would you answer Karen's question using the Word of God? In Christ, charliep
Charlie Paparelli at 4:51am EDT - August 8, 2006
Three thoughts:
1. I'm not sure that God is ever silent when we seek him for wisdom. (see James 1:5)
2. He may have already given us the answer and we have forgotten or ignored His answer because it isn't what we wanted to hear.
3. He is speaking in a still small voice (a whisper or \"gentle blowing\") and we can't hear because of all the noise in our own life. (I Kings 19:12)
Meredith E. Flautt, Jr. at 6:13am EDT - August 8, 2006
Charlie;
You are right of course. However, there are two things to consider... (1) I can't tackle this issue thoroughly with Scripture or any line of thought in the few words I limit myself to in each daily email. (2) While I believe the Word is the final authority, I notice as Paul says in Romans 1 that God has also spoken clearly through the things He has created and reveals something about His power and divine nature in them.
Rest assured, as we develop this conversation in the days ahead, there will be plenty of Scripture brought to the table. Stay tuned the next few days as I do develop this further using Scripture derived wisdom. Blessings.
Michael Pink at 6:26am EDT - August 8, 2006
Meredith;
Your three points are strong.
1. The only place I see where God is definitely silent is in Revelation 8. However, God is thought to be silent a few times by the Psalmist. Now let's look at James 1:5, \"If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally, and reproaches not; and it shall be given him.\" Now consider this, if your child is trying to solve a math question and asks for your wisdom and instead you tell her the answer, did she gain any wisdom? All I am saying is that God wants us to gain wisdom, not just information and sometimes that wisdom comes through the struggle of trying to figure it out, using known resources.
2. I couldn't agree more.
3. Ahhh, that is the thing, isn't it? The clutter and noise and distraction in life often prevents us from hearing.
Stay tuned this week Meredith for more...
Michael Pink at 6:35am EDT - August 8, 2006
I agree that we that He is sometimes silent; however, most often it is because we need to develope the patience to wait on Him. It is amazing to realize how often in scripture it says \"faith and patience\" -- we reach for faith but ignore patience.
Bill Bennett at 7:14am EDT - August 8, 2006
I just read the blog comments, I am anxiously waiting for additional scripture passages to reinforce how God wants us to make decisions. We know that God takes us into the desert at times to purify us of life's distractions (see many of the TGIF devotionals from Os Hillman). We learn patience and dependence on the Lord when He doesn't answer right away.
Pat - Cincinnati, OH at 7:16am EDT - August 8, 2006
As far as Meredith's first point is concerned (I wonder if this is the same Meredith who graduated from Hanover College in Indiana?) I believe God was silent for 400 years. This would be the time the last book of the OT was written and the first book of the NT was written. I have struggled with opportunities God has placed in front of me when I thought there was something better on the other side of the fence when I now know there was nothing better. The time now of waiting when God appears to be silent in terms of placing an opportunity of a friendship in my midst is not easy. I know God wants to refine character in me to be sure is part of the reason. Scripture says be cautious in friendship (Prov. 12:26).
Albert D. Findlay at 7:34am EDT - August 8, 2006
Michael- I aggree with Meridith's response above and appreciate that God grows us in Wisdom as we walk in Faith.
I am concerned that a new Christian or a undevoted Christian may use your article as an excuse to do their Own Thing rather than the will of God.
In searching the will of God, He sometimes does not respond right away yet that too may mean He is teaching us patience. God does answer prayer, but not all prayers; especially those that hurt Him rather than Glorify Him.
Richard Raetz at 7:55am EDT - August 8, 2006
\"We pick up skills that we will carry past the grave and into eternity.\"
I do feel like I am working now on this earth not so much for the money, but in training for greater things.
It is more satisfying for me to work smart than to actually get a deal. More satisfying to know I was led by the Holy Spirit than closing the thing. I just want to do it right. The money does not motivate me enough, so this thought is key to my perseverance.
I thought maybe I was prideful, thinking I am always on the verge of some greatness of some kind. Most people can't relate, so I don't share.
I had been home for 7 years with my son and then taught high school for eight years for peanuts in a Christian School,
Now I am returning to the business world and I often ask why. I don't really need that much money, and I am starting to have to think of things to do with it etc.,
but this training for eternity idea just really encourages me that I am going to make a difference and going to impact lives beyond what I can see now.
Thanks a lot. That just makes sense.
Marilyn Stuelke at 8:02am EDT - August 8, 2006
Michael, I agree. God is at work to change us ... bringing us to maturity. He often uses discomfort. His silence is very uncomfortable to me as I \"learn to lean\". I am not sure that I would worry about how someone might mis-use the information. The abuse of the message seems to be a fruit of our hearts rather than a problem of how Truth is presented.
Derek E Hopper - Greenville, SC at 8:32am EDT - August 8, 2006
Michael, I am a testimony to the Grace of our God. I did not get saved until I was 46 and I am 52 today. Through all those years of stumbling around, living lie after lie, pretending to be faithful,On June 26th 2,000 my Lord brought me to my knees. He let me make all those mistakes and poor decisions on my own, not to punish me but to break me. In my darkest hour he revealed himself to me as the loving father that he is and introduced me to his son. He heard my prayers however he answered them when he was ready.
I believe God left me to my own devises and when he knew I was ready he revealed himself in a mighty way. I am so humbled each day and grateful for the wisdom He gave me through these trials
He was silent while I acted a fool but in HIS time He was right on time.
DH at 8:37am EDT - August 8, 2006
I believe God put the Holy Spirit in us for many of these situations. And, yes you are right God expects us to use the common sense, knowledge, etc he has blessed us with.
I one time heard a speaker say choose a direction, if you are not sure. If you turn righ and hit a brick wall turn right again. Eventually you will be at that left turn from your starting point. It just takes a ittle longer to get there.
By the way I once heard Tom Peters say that we don't learn from our mistakes. A mistake repeated is just another mistake. We learn from the actions we take to correct the mistake. Or as Einstein (I believe) said, \"The definiton of insanityis doing the same thing over and expecting different results.
Keep up the good work. I like the BLOG.
Bill
Bill Gaffey at 9:14am EDT - August 8, 2006
Richard;
You raise another popular question about the potential misuse of truth. However, bear in mind that people have been using actual Scripture to justify wrong behavior by taking it out of context. So that's not new. What is interesting though is that regardless of whether they use Scripture to justify an action or something flimsy, God will still instruct them with the fruit of their decision. Remember, wisdom is justified by her children. Foolishness also instructs in the from of unpleasant offspring.
There is always the danger that people will take some piece of truth and use it to their own harm and that piece of truth may well be Scripture like some rural churches who pick up snakes and dance with them because Jesus said, \"They shall take up serpents...\". Some of them get bit and die. God is well aware of the potential for people to harm themselves in this or a myriad of other ways when they only get a small piece of the truth. Yet He takes this risk. I do also but not because of my infinite wisdom (lol) but because of the limits necessary with daily email. Thanks for sharing your insights.
Michael Pink at 9:41am EDT - August 8, 2006
I am glad Marilyn that you are beginning to see the eternal value in the temporal things you do. Gaining eternal skills for ruling and reigning with Christ is a big deal! Thanks for sharing!
Michael Pink at 10:11am EDT - August 8, 2006
I am concerned about your answer. God promised that if any man lacked wisdom God would give it to him without scolding. Jesus did nothing apart from the Father why should we expect any different results.
Blessings Bill
Bill at 10:19am EDT - August 8, 2006
Bill;
No worries my brother. I believe God and I believe His word. That Jesus did not do anything of Himself but only as the Father has taught Him is a strong reminder for ourselves. The fact that God will instruct us or give us wisdom when (we ask in faith) is not in question. What is on the table for discussion is How will He instruct us or give us wisdom and I submit it is through various means which we will be discussing in the next few daily devotionals. Blessings.
Michael Pink at 11:06am EDT - August 8, 2006
\"Draw near to God and He will Draw near to you.\" James 4:8 \"... anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.\" Hebrews 11:6 There are many small decisions that I'm convinced the lord delegates to us (choosing a meal, the route we take to work, clothes we put on, etc...) and perhaps they are proving grounds for more significant choices. On the more significant decisions though I think it's absolutely critical to persevere with the Lord until we clearly hear/see His will. He will make the right choices evident. To move forward with what we think best misses the hearing from God and the blessings of finding His more perfect direction and plan in the steps of our life and business. We need to build the habit of waiting for his \"revelation\" rather than taking the path that appears to us as most prudent. David was blessed because he \"... followed me with all his heart , doing only what was right in my eyes.\" I Kings 14:8
Perry at 11:11am EDT - August 8, 2006
The Bible says in Psalm 34:14 to pursue peace. If I'm not getting specific direction from God in an area that I am seeking His direction in, I find that it is very important to pursue peace, in other words, choose the option that I have peace with.
Just a thought.
Dolly at 11:47am EDT - August 8, 2006
Thank you and Godbless you and your ministry. I pray daily and ask God please, please, speak to me. You speak to others. Why not me? Please give me direction, guidance, speak a word, anything, I am listening. I AM LISTENING AND WANT TO HEAR FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT BUT I don't hear anything audibly. I wait to hear perhaps it may come in otherways, music, other people, reading the Word of course but precisely where do I read today in Your Word Lord.
Thanks again. I'm ready for another day. I am led totally by the Spirit of God and faith because God I know is teaching me patience with my business.
In His Service
Serene Kacsur at 1:22pm EDT - August 8, 2006
This was an excellent read. I have been recently plagued with this because I often thought that if I moved without hearing from God and if things did not go well He would say you were not patient and this is why you messed up. It still bothers me sometimes because life is so short and having lived through the loss of so many loved ones so early on, I want my life to be meaningful and fruitful without a bunch of poor time wasting decisions. We only have so much time and being a poor steward would be held against me so I have to figure out when to go and when to wait. I thought that if I waited then God would give me direction. Life is already hard. There is this one quote I heard at work many years ago that says, Life is tough, and its tougher if you are stupid. That may seem blunt, but it is true and I dont want to be stupid.
Rhoda V. Nelson at 1:24pm EDT - August 8, 2006
Great and time less subject. I have been a born again believer for 27 years and I still stuggle with this one.When to wait when to move and when to do both.I thank you for your eternal perspective. So often what we think is the issue isnt the issue God is trying to prepare us for a greater challenge or character issue that we dont see.
Thomas McMillan at 1:42pm EDT - August 8, 2006
I think when we move on something weve prayed on and not gotten that specific answer, we often will make the right decision if we are looking with the midset of Christ in us. When we have his will running our lives, and that is a big one,\"his will, not my will be his\" then we will do the right thing if we are in his will to do so. For he has given us a spirit of power,love and a sound mind to make the right move.
Julio at 2:57pm EDT - August 8, 2006
The Old Testament is repleat with stories about altars that were built to worship God. They were built as reminders for what God had done for His people. When these people would walk by this altar a year or so later, they would stop, worship and retell the stories of what God had done.
Sometimes we look forward for answers when we should be looking back at the signs and guideposts or markers that reflect what God has done in our life. In other words, sometimes we must reflect on past experiences to know what we should or should not do in the future. The time from \"hearing to hearing\" is bridged by steps of faith. Rom 10:17 says that faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Pv 11:14 says that in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
So it would seem to me that we look back to see what God has done; we seek several counselors for advice; we look into the Word and we step out in faith.
Wally Kassebaum at 4:49pm EDT - August 8, 2006
Michael, thank you for your comments on James 1:5. It produced one of those DOH! moments of realisation for me. Of course if God wants us to ask for wisdom he expects us to use it once we have it.
Perhaps one of the problems we have in not hearing from God is that too often we are asking for answers instead of asking for wisdom (I know I am guilty of that).
Rod at 8:36pm EDT - August 8, 2006
Just wanted to find out if anyone knows how to contact Wally Kassebaum (Aug 8th submission above). I used to converse with him when he had Covenant Systems, and would like to re-connect. If you know him, just forward this to him. Thanks for any help.
Vince at 4:41pm EDT - October 24, 2007