Why is God silent at times?

What do you do when heaven is silent? What do you do when you cry out to God and there is no answer, or at least you can't hear it?

This happened to David. He kept crying out to God, "Do not keep silent, O God of my praise!" (v.1). David was being attacked by the wicked a frequent occurrence in his life. You must remember that when he prayed these prayers of judgment (v.13), he was not seeking personal revenge. No, he was praying as God's king over Israel. David wanted to see the wicked judged because they were attacking the people of God, the ones from whom God's Word and His Son would come.

Why is God silent at times?

(1) It may be because we aren't listening or we don't want to listen.

Evangelist Billy Sunday used to say that a sinner can't find God for the same reason a criminal can't find a policeman, he's not looking. Sin makes us turn a deaf ear to God. When Adam and Eve heard the voice of God in the Garden of Eden, they ran and hid. Children often do that when they disobey.

(2) Because we aren't ready for the message.

He wants to talk to us about something, but we aren't ready. We have to go through refining trials to make us ready to listen.

(3) Because He knows we aren't willing to obey.

He is always ready to show us His will, but He shows His will only to those who really want to do it. Jesus said in John 7:17, "If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine." Obedient people always hear the voice of God.

(4) Finally, sometimes God is silent that He might test us.

To teach us the importance of silence, the importance of waiting on Him. Waiting helps remind us of God's sovereignty. The silence of God is one of the difficult tests of faith.

What should you do when He is silent? Remember His faithfulness and past blessings. Live today on what He has already told you. Trust Him and wait. You will hear the voice of God again.

BACK TO THE BIBLE by Warren Wiersbe © 1996-2006. All rights reserved. (Please include this line to forward).