What To Do When God Seems Silent

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to hear God’s voice and He seemed silent?   The more you read the Bible and prayed the quieter it got?  If we are honest, we have all gone through times like that.  Times where we ask, “God, where are you?  What do you want me to do in this situation?”  And all we hear is crickets.

I want to share the story of a Bible character who experienced the same challenge. In 1 Kings 17, God clearly spoke to Elijah and through his instructions set forth a miraculous series of events that sparked a major revival in Israel. A short time later, however, Elijah found himself in a cave experiencing major discouragement and asking for God to kill him. God’s response to Elijah’s request to kill him is very enlightening.  In 1 Kings 19:9 God said:

“What are you doing here Elijah?

Elijah continued to complain about his situation to God and 1 Kings 19:13 God said:

“What are you doing here Elijah?

While Elijah was whining to God in the cave, God was asking Elijah why he was there.  His assignment was to lead the revival, however, he had become intimidated by Queen Jezebel and ran.  The awesome thing about God is His plan for Elijah didn’t change.  Even though Elijah had become fearful, God still wanted Elijah to lead the revival.  This should be encouraging news to us because there are times we blow it and yet God’s plans for us don’t change.  According to Romans 11:29 his gifts and callings are without repentance.  

Unfortunately, Elijah never responded properly so God had to anoint Elisha in his place, but that was never God’s first choice. The application to you and me today is that when God’s voice seems silent, we need focus clearly on doing the last thing He told us to do.  There are times that circumstances, pressure, and fear may hinder our ability to hear God’s voice, however, we can rest assured that God’s plans for us don’t change.  Sometimes our next step in getting clear direction isn’t to pray, it’s to obey. Specifically, obey the last thing God told us to do.  

I can speak from my own experience and multiple examples in the Bible that when God brings major change in our lives, He will make it clear.  This means when God seems silent, He’s wanting to get us to focus on the last thing he told us to do.  As we are faithful to do that, He will clearly give us next steps in His plan for our lives.

The key to getting more light is to walk in the light we already have.  I want to encourage you to examine your life today.  Are there any things God has told you to do that you aren’t currently doing?  If so, begin to do those things as that is His plan for your life.  As you are faithful in following the last instruction He gave, you will be in the right position to clearly hear the next instructions Jesus has for you!

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