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Sprirtual Sundays ~ When God is Silent


The best devotion I read this week was on the topic of God’s silence:

Some prayers are followed by silence because they are wrong, others because they are bigger than we can understand. Jesus stayed where He was – a positive staying, because He loved Martha and Mary. Did they get Lazarus back? They got infinitely more; they got to know the greatest truth mortal beings ever knew—that Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life. It will be a wonderful moment when we stand before God and find that the prayers we clamored for in early days and imagined were never answered have been answered in the most amazing way, and that God’s silence has been the sign of the answer. If we always want to be able to point to something and say, “This is the way God answered my prayer,” God cannot trust us yet with His silence. Oswald Chambers

Thanks to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting, praying and caring for all of us at Spiritual Sundays.

Comments

  1. DeniseOctober 23, 2010 at 2:26 AM

    Amen sis.

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  2. AnonymousOctober 23, 2010 at 4:39 AM

    Ah, yes, I have often experienced that silence. He is always there, even in the silence as He grows our faith and trust. The older we get spiritually, the less we should need outward signs from Him and He purposely whispers the answers with the patience and fine technique of an artist creating a masterpiece. I love Him so.

    Thank you for stopping by my little corner. Have a glorious weekend!

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  3. Nikki (Sarah)October 23, 2010 at 5:56 AM

    this is a great thought....something I have come to know...silence...or mircle...I can trust Him....Have a great weekend....

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  4. Whidbey WomanOctober 23, 2010 at 7:08 AM

    Amen. This Spiritual Sunday, I am praising God for answered prayer.
    I trust Him completely, but must admit, sometimes I am a doubting Thomas. I don't know why-- He is always so faithful to my family and I. Sinful nature, I guess... the enemy creeping in. Anyway, thanks be to God for teachers ike Oswald Chambers. Enjoyed your insight from the devotional.

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  5. RuthOctober 23, 2010 at 8:45 AM

    Absolutely beautiful... thank you so much for sharing!!

    Blessings,
    Ruth

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  6. GayleOctober 23, 2010 at 9:06 AM

    Loved this. So, so true.

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  7. Deborah AnnOctober 23, 2010 at 1:21 PM

    I never looked at silence like that before...that sometimes that is the answered prayer. I guess we're always looking for rainbows and shooting comets. But so often God stands in the shadows in silence...

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  8. RCUBEsOctober 23, 2010 at 5:00 PM

    We happen to be impatient without realizing that sometimes He is allowing us to think things through...and in the process learn so much more. Waiting and endurance are big things we can learn as we are getting prepared to be with Him for eternity. I can't even grasped "eternity"....I just know His love is faithful and lasts forever...Blessings to you sister Mary. Thinking of you in prayers.

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  9. SusanOctober 23, 2010 at 5:09 PM

    I am always blessed by Oswald Chambers.

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  10. Kathleen October 23, 2010 at 6:39 PM

    I don't think I've ever read anything spoken by Oswald Chambers that didn't touch my heart.

    What a great reminder this is, Mary.

    Hugs,
    Kathleen

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  11. Lisa notes...October 23, 2010 at 6:47 PM

    "God’s silence has been the sign of the answer."

    This is very good. Sometimes we think God is not answering but his silence IS an answer. And when he is silent, it is always the right answer, whether or not we believe it.

    Thank you for sharing this inspirational reading. It made me more grateful for those times when God seems quiet.

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  12. SilverOctober 23, 2010 at 7:58 PM

    Thanks Mary for dropping by. It's so good to see that cheer and 'piles of smiles' beaming thru that profile pic!
    Truly a picture of God's joy!

    God's silence can be discouraging at times, because sometimes we may think He has forgotten about us, or that we may have sins in our lives that He has chosen to hid His face from us. Sometimes that is true (the sins part) but most times, i agree.. God's silence should lead us to be patient and trust Him still, no matter what.

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  13. Ginger~~Enchanting CottageOctober 23, 2010 at 8:00 PM

    This was a gread devotion,I'm glad you shared this with us. I never thought about silence and prayer this way, this gives me something to think about.
    Blessings,
    Ginger

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  14. Cooking Up FaithOctober 23, 2010 at 8:31 PM

    It's all about trust, isn't it? :)
    Big Fat Mama

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  15. Mevely317October 24, 2010 at 7:36 AM

    I suspect that most people (me, too) are uncomfortable with silence ... rushing in to fill the void.
    How lovely to reconsider, and accept His silence!

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  16. AnonymousOctober 24, 2010 at 9:49 AM

    Amen.
    We have to remember that we don't have to understand. Just wait on Him and trust.

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  17. CharlotteOctober 24, 2010 at 12:24 PM

    What wonderful assurance. Great explanation of the silence of God. Thank you for sharing this.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  18. LisaOctober 24, 2010 at 1:18 PM

    This is a beautiful devotion! God is so much bigger than we can ever understand...I guess that is where faith comes in. To trust Him when we don't understand. It is much harder to do than to say, isn't it? Thank you for a great post.:)

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  19. AnonymousOctober 24, 2010 at 3:56 PM

    Such a lovely post. We all benefit so much from Spiritual Sunday's. Have a blessed week.

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  20. Kelly LOctober 24, 2010 at 4:51 PM

    Great post that I completely agree with.. I know that I have been very impatient with God because I felt he did not answer my prayers fast enough.. but I have learned that God's timing is perfect...

    Love to you
    Kelly
    I've Become My Mother

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  21. Michele WilliamsOctober 24, 2010 at 5:10 PM

    I too have experienced that silence. How are you doing my friend? How is AZ? I am loving the fall colors back here in PA! Although I am sick right now... Pray for healing. Blessings to you...

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  22. LisaShawOctober 25, 2010 at 2:59 PM

    You have such a warm heart of understanding in the LORD. Thank you for always being a vessel His Holy Spirit flows through...

    Much love!

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  23. Crown of BeautyOctober 25, 2010 at 4:14 PM

    Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest will always be at the top of my favorite reads.

    But this quote, which I have just searched on Google a few minutes ago, is from another book by Chambers, If You Will Ask.

    Mary, you don't know what reading this little devotional on your blog has done for me today.

    I will definitely order this from Amazon. They have it available under used books for on $ .01 plus $3.99 shipping.

    The silence of God is one topic very close to my heart.

    His silence never means indifference. Of course.

    God is so much bigger than us...infinitely bigger. That makes me feel so secure to know that Someone infinitely larger than life knows what He is doing.

    I can't thank you enough for sharing this.

    Love
    Lidj

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  24. AndreaOctober 25, 2010 at 4:50 PM

    Oh, what beautiful spiritual truth are in those words! It does seem God is often silent, but His silence is a sign of His lovingkindness toward us. Father help me grasp your care for me!

    Thank you for sharing this devotional. Oswald Chambers is one of my favorites.

    Much Love,

    Andrea

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  25. CathyOctober 25, 2010 at 5:32 PM

    Thanks for sharing that devotional. Blessings ~

    ReplyDelete
  26. SharonOctober 25, 2010 at 5:40 PM

    Wandering around blogland, and I discovered you! I'm so glad I did - and I look forward to following you.

    This was a great post - I never really thought of God's silence as an answer to prayer. What a comforting insight! Thank you for sharing that!

    And this was a truly powerful statement: "God cannot trust us yet with His silence." WOW! I would like to have faith strong enough to stand firm when God seems silent, to believe and trust Him when He is hidden - to obey Him even when the way is unclear.

    GOD BLESS!

    (p.s. I've enjoyed reading your other posts, too. Feel free to visit me anytime!)

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  27. Cindy AdkinsOctober 25, 2010 at 11:13 PM

    I just stopped by to say "hi" and send best wishes your way--Oh my gosh--you blog header is magnificent!!!
    XO

    ReplyDelete

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