Is God Silent?

God, do not keep silent. Do not be deaf, God; do not be quiet.

Psalm 83:1 (CSB)

Have you ever questioned whether God listened while you cried out to Him? Have you ever sensed that your prayers fell on deaf ears? Psalm 83 highlights the Psalmist's heartfelt appeal for the Lord's intervention amidst hostile forces waging war against him, as he longs for the Lord to act. This urgent cry reflects a deep desire for the Lord's immediate involvement. As we reflect on Psalm 83, let us learn to place our trust in the Lord, both when the answers are clear and during times of silence in response.

Silence Should Inspire Prayer (1-4). The Psalmist begins by addressing the overwhelming silence of the Lord. This silence envelops the space as the Psalmist longs to witness the Lord's action. We often find silence troubling, as we expect the Lord to respond in ways we deem appropriate and according to our timelines. However, silence creates an opportunity for deeper prayer. It should encourage our hearts to humble ourselves before the Lord and seek Him with greater determination. The Lord's silence should never discourage us; instead, it should motivate us to adopt a prayerful stance.

Align With The Lord (5-12). The Psalmist declares that the foes have united and are pursuing the Lord's people. This coalition seems formidable. Although the Psalmist recognizes the strength of the assembled adversaries, he ultimately places his trust in the Lord. In our present world, opposition against God's people persists, happening daily, and is expected to intensify as we approach the end times.

Similar to the foes uniting, the alliance among God's people empowers us to connect with the Lord and unite our hearts. This alignment is fostered through our commitment to gather as a community of believers. We forge partnerships with other followers when we serve the Lord and pray together. God established the church as a space for us to collaborate with fellow Christians, helping us withstand the challenges posed by our adversaries.

Trust in God’s Sovereignty (13-18). The Psalmist presents a comprehensive account of the Lord's past actions. This history serves to remind us of the Lord's ongoing and future work. The Psalmist expresses a deep trust in the Lord's supreme authority and capability. By embracing faith in God’s sovereignty, the overwhelming quiet becomes less pronounced, as we rely entirely on the Lord and trust Him fully.

QUESTIONS

  1. When you face the deafening of God’s silence to your request, are you detered from prayer or fueled for more prayer?

  2. What examples in your life can you give where the alliance of the saints aided in the ability to walk in faithfulness and seek the Lord?

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Joy in Following the Lord