There are times in life when God is silent and for me, that is hard to deal with. Once we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are drawn into a one on one relationship with him. We are created for worship and built to communicate with Him. We are also taught to seek him at every turn, with everything. We have come to expect answers, guidance and promises which he so freely gives. But there are times when God goes silent. And for me, those times are the hardest. I feel alone in those moments.
In John 11, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, had to wait four days for the arrival of their Rescuer. They had been on their knees concerning the healing of their sick brother. I am sure that Lazarus’ medical condition had been around the local prayer chains and church prayer meetings. As the sisters sat at his bedside, watching their brother’s health decline by the minute, surely they asked, “Where is the Healer?” “Why isn’t Jesus here with us?” “Why haven’t we heard from Him?” Lazarus was one of his closest friends and associates. It would have been natural for Jesus to come running to his side, at least to say good-bye. I am sure that a bold prayer of healing was said for complete restoration.
Jesus was silent for four days. He didn’t come to save the day immediately. He didn’t bail out the infirmed. His delayed arrival onto the scene of dead conveyed God’s purpose. I am convinced that in these dark times of our lives, it presents a true test of our faith. Scriptures seem to say nothing about how to deal with this except to “Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10) But, in our painful life circumstances, it is hard to see God working; it is hard to hear God speaking. These times of difficulty not only deafen us but also blind us, with lonely feelings of abandonment.
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