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.
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.
Amen sis.
ReplyDeleteAh, 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.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my little corner. Have a glorious weekend!
this is a great thought....something I have come to know...silence...or mircle...I can trust Him....Have a great weekend....
ReplyDeleteAmen. This Spiritual Sunday, I am praising God for answered prayer.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
Absolutely beautiful... thank you so much for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Ruth
Loved this. So, so true.
ReplyDeleteI 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...
ReplyDeleteWe 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.
ReplyDeleteI am always blessed by Oswald Chambers.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever read anything spoken by Oswald Chambers that didn't touch my heart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reminder this is, Mary.
Hugs,
Kathleen
"God’s silence has been the sign of the answer."
ReplyDeleteThis 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.
Thanks Mary for dropping by. It's so good to see that cheer and 'piles of smiles' beaming thru that profile pic!
ReplyDeleteTruly 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Ginger
It's all about trust, isn't it? :)
ReplyDeleteBig Fat Mama
I suspect that most people (me, too) are uncomfortable with silence ... rushing in to fill the void.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to reconsider, and accept His silence!
Amen.
ReplyDeleteWe have to remember that we don't have to understand. Just wait on Him and trust.
What wonderful assurance. Great explanation of the silence of God. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte
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.:)
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post. We all benefit so much from Spiritual Sunday's. Have a blessed week.
ReplyDeleteGreat 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...
ReplyDeleteLove to you
Kelly
I've Become My Mother
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...
ReplyDeleteYou have such a warm heart of understanding in the LORD. Thank you for always being a vessel His Holy Spirit flows through...
ReplyDeleteMuch love!
Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest will always be at the top of my favorite reads.
ReplyDeleteBut 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
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!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this devotional. Oswald Chambers is one of my favorites.
Much Love,
Andrea
Thanks for sharing that devotional. Blessings ~
ReplyDeleteWandering around blogland, and I discovered you! I'm so glad I did - and I look forward to following you.
ReplyDeleteThis 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!)
I just stopped by to say "hi" and send best wishes your way--Oh my gosh--you blog header is magnificent!!!
ReplyDeleteXO