Friday, February 25, 2011

When Silence Answers

So many times, we pray and God sends an answer. He heals, he provides and he protects. We depend on God to guide us through the journeys of life and help us find direction. He often surprises us with miracles and with his divine whisper. His answers help us feel loved and secure in the knowledge that he will never leave us.

But what about those times when he doesn’t answer? I had that experience this week. After more than a year when God provided for us financially – often through miraculous means – suddenly this month, we ran out of money. I prayed, I fasted, I expected another check to arrive in the mail. But even the publishers who owed me money didn’t come through. Nothing happened to prevent the checking account landing on the negative side.

When silence answers, I believe God is still at work. He still heals, protects and provides. He still cares about us and wants to send a joy-filled miracle. But he also has reasons for not coming through with a concrete answer. That’s when he sends us back to Psalm 63:8, “My soul clings to you. Your right hand upholds me.”

Silence is not the same as absence. God is still there. He is working behind the scenes to craft a miracle in our souls and push us toward a deeper trust. He has not forgotten how to provide nor has he refused to care. He is just doing a more important work. Caring for the soul and fashioning it to be more like His Son is more vital than placing a check in the mailbox.

When silence answers – cling to God even more tightly. Let him uphold you with His powerful right hand. Let Him love you until the answer comes.

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