Thoughts for Life: When God is Silent

Dr. Charles Stanley shares with us from his
December, 2013 magazine issue, In Touch:

As Lazarus was dying, his sisters urgently
called for Jesus to come.

Imagine how their grief must have compounded when He didn't instantly respond to their request.

God's silence is difficult to accept.

We want Him to leap into action at our call, particularly if we are hurting or afraid.
But since He promises to meet our needs, we can be sure that a silence from heaven has purpose.

Silence grabs our attention. The disciples knew that Jesus could heal, so they must have wondered why He delayed instead of rushing to His friend's bedside.

But the Lord wanted them to witness something

even greater: His power over death.

They had been confused by His statements about conquering

death, and they needed to understand that He could fulfill His
own resurrection prophecies Mark 9:31-32.

The miracle at Lazarus's tomb was part of their preparation.
He was "the Christ, the Son of God' John 11:21-27.

Silence teaches us to trust. Mary and Martha sent word of Lazarus's illness because they anticipated the Lord would heal him.

But if that expectation was not met, would their faith waver?

Martha answered the question by stating that she believed

Jesus.

The women's trust was rewarded with a stunning miracle: their brother's return to life.

At times, the only thing we can hear when we pray is our own breathing.

That can be frustrating and frightening.

But Scripture says God is always with us, and His silence won't last forever Ps. 38:15.

Cling to those promises as you seek the purpose behind his silence."

Taken from Dr. Charles Stanley's 12/2013 issue of In Touch. (p. 56)

Used by permission- customercare@intouch.org

He Never Leaves Us

"God promises not to leave us

Or withhold from us His care,

Yet at times it seems He's absent,

That He really is not there.

It looks like He is silent,

Hidden from our view,

Yet truly He is always there,
Helping to see us through."

by Frances Gregory Pasch

From Double Vision

Seeing God in Everyday Life through

Devotions and Poetry by Frances Gregory Pasch
published by Lighthouse Publishing
of the Carolinas. (p. 60)

(Used by permission from Frances Gregory Pasch)

Let’s pray:

Father, help us comfort those who are in a stressful situation, assuring them that God hears, and to believe He is working on their behalf.

May I be reminded myself of Your everlasting love, and of the hope You've given me as a believer.

When it will actually take a miracle, like someone's healing, help me trust You to guide the situation on a daily basis, to where I'll keep trusting You to be in control of it, and the outcome.

I give You the praise right now, for what You're doing on our behalf! In the Mighty Name of our Savior, I pray. Amen

Today’s Bible verse: Jer. 18:6b "Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand."

Today’s quote: Mary Carothers – “When we thank and praise God in the trials of life we are opening ourselves to Him. We are saying that even though we don’t like what is going on, we are trusting His love and wisdom for us. We gradually come to realize that we are given these opportunities to look to Him, to focus on Him. We can walk in victory in Christ –not us.”

Some thoughts today: True religion is tested by our lives. We have so much in Christ, and He wants us to sow into others, as we're members of one another.

- "Here I am" people, vs "There you are". Which are you? When you enter a room, what are your thoughts...Do you perceive yourself as important, and everyone should pay attention to you?

- Remember: "It's not about me," but how can I encourage someone?

11th- Tuesday’s post: #61 Personal Intercessors C. Peter Wagner

13th- Thursday's post: #62 1-3 Intercessors C. Peter Wagner

15th- Saturday's post: The Present/Listening Dogs Julie Ackerman

16th- Sunday's post: Mournful to Hopeful Max Lucado

A popular post: God's Goodness Denise K Loock - "God’s definition of goodness is so different than mine that I often don’t recognize it.