WHEN GOD SEEMS SILENT!

Sometimes I wonder… The Bible says, “Trust in The Lord will all your heart…” Super, fine, I’m doing that but in turn, I end up being given the hardest challenges, roughest roads and toughest times. It is like why is trusting God even worth it? Those around me who could careless about God, seem to be flourishing and having the best life ever. But me, I call on God everyday and nothing happens. I go to Church, serve and hold fast to the words, “Everything is going to be alright” or “God is going to work things out.” Why when it seems like I am taking two steps forward, I end up going four steps back. I am back where I started.

God says, “I never slumber nor sleep.” Honestly God, do you even see me? Do you even hear me? I have been sending SOS signals for a while now. Have not heard anything from you as yet. Everyday, I get up, I put on this fake smile. No one is going to see the tears behind my smile. “I’m fine, doing just fine.” I’m really not. God where are you? What are you doing? I am on the verge of giving up. My hands are slowly slipping away from the rope of holding on.

That may be your cry today and I just want to encourage you through the words of Job 23:1-10. You are not alone in how you are feeling….

“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would give me a fair hearing. Honest people can reason with him, so I would be forever acquitted by my judge. I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.”

Job experienced really difficult situations from losing his home, children, fortune… having his wife telling him to curse God and die and his friends blaming him for the stuff he’s experiencing. He was at his wits end. It appears as if God had went M.I.A on him. What Job did not know about, was the conversation between satan and God. Remember, Job 1:11-“But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” What if satan had this same conversation about you? Are you going to curse God? Can God even consider your name? Through the good and bad times, can you say, “I will still trust you Lord?”

Nevertheless, Job found HOPE and STRENGTH in the midst of God’s silence. He said, “But he knows where I am going…” Wow! You have been going around and around searching for God and He still knows your next move. Nothing that you are experiencing is a surprise to God. Job was like you know what, I am willing to go through this test, I am willing to go through this struggle, I am willing to go through whatever it is God is taking me through. Because at the end of it all, I know that I will come out BETTER, I will come out as pure GOLD, I will come out with a greater GLORY!

Imagine, going through all of this, and just when you were about to come out of it, you gave up! Do not forfeit your due season because of weariness. Steven Furtick said, “Faith has the ability to see God working, even if His hand seems invisible.”  Can you trust God even when you can’t trace Him? You’re coming out! Do not let go now!