O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. Psalm 83:1
God speaks.
That simple statement is at the very heart of Christianity. We believe in a God who, down through history, has spoken to men and women “at many times and in various ways”.
He speaks through Jesus, the word of God: he “has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). He speaks through creation. He speaks through our consciences. He speaks through other people. Whatever anybody may doubt about the Christian faith, this is one thing about which there cannot be any doubt: our God is a God with a voice.
Ah, but what about times when he doesn’t speak? – or, at least, seems not to speak. What about times when God seems to be silent?
This is the situation the psalmist is in here: “O God, do not remain silent.” And it is a situation where many of us may very well say, “Yes, I have been there too.” Situations where the silence of God seems far more real than the voice of God.
My wife and I heard today from a friend for whom this has been a harsh reality for several years. There is sickness in the family. It is not, I think, life-threatening, but it is certainly life-changing, even life-dominating. And the fact is that, in spite of intense, sustained prayer plus the best medical skills available, nothing has changed. If anything things seem almost to be getting worse. God seems silent.
What, in general, are the possible reasons for God’s silence? Let’s run through the options.
First, God doesn’t speak because he just isn’t there. There is no God, and we are deluded if we think there is.
This is the conclusion many people feel driven to, especially in the godless world in which we live. Obviously, it isn’t a route we as Christians can take. But I think we need to be careful not to condemn or criticise those who do, especially those who are humble and genuine. They aren’t all hard-hearted, cynical atheists, and they need our love, sympathy and prayers.
Second, God doesn’t speak because he is unable to help. Oh, he exists all right – but that is about as much as you can say. He may have created this world, but now it seems to be beyond his control. He is feeble.
Again, we as Christians obviously cannot go this way. Our God is “almighty God.” He can do all things; his power and might are infinite. He created the world! He raised Jesus from the dead! But we must be honest and recognise that, well, it doesn’t always seem that way.
Third, he doesn’t speak because he doesn’t care. This is an option the psalmist does seem to toy with. Is God “turning a deaf ear” or “standing aloof”?
I don’t think he really believes this to be the case. But again, we can only respect his honesty in asking the question. And let us be honest too: there are times – let’s put it quite brutally – when God seems to be not so much “our heavenly Father” as “our cruel creator”; for is it not cruel to turn away from someone crying out for help?
If we rule those three options out, as Christians surely must, only one possibility remains: God is continuing in silence, and allowing our suffering to continue, in order to do us ultimate good. He loves us and has purposes for us which we can’t even begin to imagine, and those purposes are glorious. For the moment we can only pray for the gift of faith to be able to see the hard times through.
I personally have had a very trouble-free life – I have no idea why; I certainly don’t deserve it – so I’m hardly in a position to hand out advice to those experiencing things I know little of. But one or two suggestions occur to me, so I dare to offer them, even if very hesitantly. (You’re probably already doing them anyway.)
First, muster as much prayer support as you can. You may feel as if you yourself are “prayed out”, so the more of your brothers and sisters who are praying the better.
Second, take courage from the testimony of other Christians who have been where you are – and who have indeed come through. There are good books on the market which tell wonderful stories – not to mention many “ordinary” fellow-Christians.
Third, look for areas of your life where you can see the hand of God at work, and where you do hear his voice. Hopefully, this might put the dark side of things into a clearer perspective.
Fourth, look back to the times when God was unmistakably present in your life, working his work and speaking clearly. Were those times all illusions?
If Christianity is true, then a day of glory and rejoicing is on the way. Cling to that, remembering faithful Job.
And remembering above all the One who, on the cross, felt not just that God was “silent” or “had turned a deaf ear”, but had actually abandoned him: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear… Please hear this prayer, not just on my own behalf, but on behalf of all those who feel today that you are standing aloof from them. Amen.
God speaks.
That simple statement is at the very heart of Christianity. We believe in a God who, down through history, has spoken to men and women “at many times and in various ways”.
He speaks through Jesus, the word of God: he “has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). He speaks through creation. He speaks through our consciences. He speaks through other people. Whatever anybody may doubt about the Christian faith, this is one thing about which there cannot be any doubt: our God is a God with a voice.
Ah, but what about times when he doesn’t speak? – or, at least, seems not to speak. What about times when God seems to be silent?
This is the situation the psalmist is in here: “O God, do not remain silent.” And it is a situation where many of us may very well say, “Yes, I have been there too.” Situations where the silence of God seems far more real than the voice of God.
My wife and I heard today from a friend for whom this has been a harsh reality for several years. There is sickness in the family. It is not, I think, life-threatening, but it is certainly life-changing, even life-dominating. And the fact is that, in spite of intense, sustained prayer plus the best medical skills available, nothing has changed. If anything things seem almost to be getting worse. God seems silent.
What, in general, are the possible reasons for God’s silence? Let’s run through the options.
First, God doesn’t speak because he just isn’t there. There is no God, and we are deluded if we think there is.
This is the conclusion many people feel driven to, especially in the godless world in which we live. Obviously, it isn’t a route we as Christians can take. But I think we need to be careful not to condemn or criticise those who do, especially those who are humble and genuine. They aren’t all hard-hearted, cynical atheists, and they need our love, sympathy and prayers.
Second, God doesn’t speak because he is unable to help. Oh, he exists all right – but that is about as much as you can say. He may have created this world, but now it seems to be beyond his control. He is feeble.
Again, we as Christians obviously cannot go this way. Our God is “almighty God.” He can do all things; his power and might are infinite. He created the world! He raised Jesus from the dead! But we must be honest and recognise that, well, it doesn’t always seem that way.
Third, he doesn’t speak because he doesn’t care. This is an option the psalmist does seem to toy with. Is God “turning a deaf ear” or “standing aloof”?
I don’t think he really believes this to be the case. But again, we can only respect his honesty in asking the question. And let us be honest too: there are times – let’s put it quite brutally – when God seems to be not so much “our heavenly Father” as “our cruel creator”; for is it not cruel to turn away from someone crying out for help?
If we rule those three options out, as Christians surely must, only one possibility remains: God is continuing in silence, and allowing our suffering to continue, in order to do us ultimate good. He loves us and has purposes for us which we can’t even begin to imagine, and those purposes are glorious. For the moment we can only pray for the gift of faith to be able to see the hard times through.
I personally have had a very trouble-free life – I have no idea why; I certainly don’t deserve it – so I’m hardly in a position to hand out advice to those experiencing things I know little of. But one or two suggestions occur to me, so I dare to offer them, even if very hesitantly. (You’re probably already doing them anyway.)
First, muster as much prayer support as you can. You may feel as if you yourself are “prayed out”, so the more of your brothers and sisters who are praying the better.
Second, take courage from the testimony of other Christians who have been where you are – and who have indeed come through. There are good books on the market which tell wonderful stories – not to mention many “ordinary” fellow-Christians.
Third, look for areas of your life where you can see the hand of God at work, and where you do hear his voice. Hopefully, this might put the dark side of things into a clearer perspective.
Fourth, look back to the times when God was unmistakably present in your life, working his work and speaking clearly. Were those times all illusions?
If Christianity is true, then a day of glory and rejoicing is on the way. Cling to that, remembering faithful Job.
And remembering above all the One who, on the cross, felt not just that God was “silent” or “had turned a deaf ear”, but had actually abandoned him: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear… Please hear this prayer, not just on my own behalf, but on behalf of all those who feel today that you are standing aloof from them. Amen.
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