Pathways Press.com

MEDITATION:

Written by Courtney Joseph, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from her work “What to Do When God Seems Silent.”

Do you ever pray and God seems silent? God speaks to us through his word, through prayer, through his Holy Spirit, through godly counsel, and through our circumstances. So what do we do when God seems silent?  In Isaiah 58, the Jewish exiles had returned from Babylon to rebuild the temple. Though they had returned, they were still caught up in the sins of idolatry, hypocrisy, and indifference – essentially their hearts were rebellious…God’s people were acting like a nation that was doing all the right things. They seemed to be a people delighting in the nearness of God but they did NOT want the nearness of God. They gave the appearance of being serious about their faith but they were simply hearers of the word and not doers. It is easy to sit and listen to sermons or read our Bibles but to actually be a doer of the word – now that is hard. That is real faith. Some church attenders hear the word and equate that with doing the word. That’s wrong. We hear God’s word so we will be equipped to DO God’s word…God explains the reason for his silence. The problem was the way they were treating each other. If they were truly seeking the Lord they would not be fighting. They were just going through the motions externally while their hearts were far from God.  The prosperity gospel teaches that if we do all the right things then God will bless us – God will answer our prayers yes. It’s a manipulative relationship with God where you do what he wants to get what you want. That is not how God works. As a matter of fact, if you try to live out your relationship with God that way, you will be frustrated. You will feel like you do all these spiritual things and wonder – what’s the benefit for me? Where are the results? God does not want us to selfishly seek him. God wants your genuine love. God wants your heart…God is not impressed with fake religious behavior. And so in verses Isaiah 58:6-7 God says, share your bread, bring homeless into your house, do not ignore your own flesh and blood. Treat others right! This is the real fruit of a real Christian. You cannot love God and hate people. Your relationship with God will affect your relationships not just one day a week on Sundays — but 7 days a week! And when you get this right – look what Isaiah says will happen: “Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.” Real repentance is like the dawn of a new day. God gives you light and guidance in your life. Spiritual healing comes quickly with repentance. And God protects you. He will go before you and he’s got your back.

God answers prayer. God answers – yes, no, or wait. And when we don’t get what we want and he says no or wait – he gives us the peace to trust him in the waiting. Friends, I know how painful it is when God says no. I have begged God for things and sometimes thought that I was getting silence — when really, God was answering my prayers with a “no”. Like a toddler who begs their mom for candy – I have not wanted to accept no for an answer. But when God says no, we need to trust him. He knows what he is doing…Trust God. He has not left you alone. He is with you and he hears your prayers. God loves you! Keep walking with the King.

PRAYER:

Written by Gwen Smith, a contemporary Christian author, speaker, and coach.

Holy Lord, Thank You for grace. Please help me move beyond the hurdles that trip me up and give me the strength and wisdom to look up and see the hope I run toward in Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.ungry.