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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Can God Trust You With Silence?

"If Jesus Christ is bringing you into the understanding that prayer is for the glorifying of His Father, He will give you the first sign of His intimacy - silence."~Oswald Chambers

During my reading of "My Utmost for His Highest", by Oswald Chambers, God spoke to my heart. How many times have I wondered why God wasn't speaking to me? Wondered if He even cared about my struggles...I even wondered if I did more to get His attention, such as fasting, spending longer amounts of time with Him in the morning reading His word, would He speak then?
There were times that I had cried out to Him for help, understanding, or healing with no answer...
Did He hear my cries for His touch. Doesn't He want me to hear Him and feel His presence? I even wondered if He was truly with me. Have you ever felt that way?

As my relationship with God began growing stronger each day, I began to recognize God's hand in different places and at different times. There are countless times that I felt His presence and then there were many times that I did not, however, deep down I knew He was there. I started believing the truth of God's Word over my feelings. Truth is, God is always with us (Hebrews 13:5)!

I believe the title says it all; Can God trust you with silence?

Here's an illustration:
You're on a long road trip with your family and all of a sudden there is silence. Is it awkward silence or is it peaceful silence? Do you feel as though you need to say something to strike up a conversation, or do you just enjoy their presence? Having four children the silence is often welcomed and needed.

On the other hand, lets say you ask a co-worker for a ride home because your car broke down. You get in the front seat, you begin to think of what you can talk about. You don't really know this person outside of work related stuff, so the 20 minute ride seems to take forever...
"How was work today?"
"Good. Stressful but good."
"How's your family?"
"Good. Yours?"
"Great."
"What do you think of this weather we're having?"
"It's been nice."
The questions are forced and the answers are vague.  Then comes the dreaded silence and you think to yourself, "What do I say now?"  It feels very awkward after only a brief period of no words...

So can God trust you with His silence? Do you know Him well enough to just sit in His presence without having to hear Him speak to you? Or is it awkward? Do you try to force a conversation with God or does it feel peaceful just being in Christ Jesus?

I am at a place in my walk with the Lord that I do not feel awkward silence in His presence. I believe Him at His word; that He is always with me and He will never forsake me (Hebrews 13:5), He hears my cry for help (Psalm 18:6), His love for me is unconditional (John 3:16)...He always has an answer for me. Sometimes His answer, "Be still and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:10.

As I sit in wait, His presence is all I need to know!
Psalm 16:11, "You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures."