Silence

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.

Psalm 69:13 ESV

There are times the command to "wait upon the Lord" can seem unbearable. Whether it's the uncertainty of the future, anxiety over waiting for guidance on a decision, or the pressure of the moment, we're not comfortable in the wait. Too often we go so far as to perceive God's silence as a lack of His presence. If we're honest with ourselves, we're actually doubting God's promises and faithfulness when we despair in the wait.

Of course, our loving Father is long-suffering and puts up with us despite our lack of faith. This is a reflection of His character and certainly not anything we deserve. We're no different than our forefathers in this so at least we can say we're in good company. Abraham took it upon himself to father a child rather wait on the Lord's promise. 

Joshua attacked Ai rather than wait on the Lord's direction. Saul's impatience paved the way for his loss of the kingdom. Even the apostles didn't understand what was taking place as they waited,  in fear, during the gap between the crucifixion and the resurrection. There's nothing new about uncertainty. As new creations, our response through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit can be different than those who came before us. 

The most important thing we can do during the waiting period is to remain active rather than stay idle. If we remain idle, our minds are likely to wander down dark paths and our flesh will associate silence with negative outcomes. Just because we can't see evidence of the Lord working, we'll tend to believe this to be true. Of course, we know this is a lie if we know Christ. When we focus on the source of our anxiety we turn our focus away from our Savior and redirect it to our situation. So what actions should we take in the midst of the silence?

As the psalmist notes in the verse above, the first thing we do is pray. Paul expresses this clearly in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 when he states, "pray without ceasing." The enemy wants us to perceive that our prayers are unheard because we believe they're not answered. Scripture, of course, tells us otherwise. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, right before teaching us how to pray, "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6:8). Since God knows everything, even before we ask, it's essential that we pray continually no matter how much we have to wait until He responds. The point is not that we're trying to get His attention, it's that we emphasize our trust in Him at all times and under all circumstances. 

The second action to take in the midst of the waiting is to immerse ourselves in God's Word. God’s Word is living and active, God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path, God’s Word is the Living Water and the Bread of Life. Time in God’s Word brings us intimately into His presence, reveals His will and purpose for us, and nourishes us when we feel depleted. With all of this, we recognize that God’s voice is always with us. We may have to wait for the answers we’re seeking, but we know God is with us and for us during the waiting. He offers levels of comfort and compassion beyond anything else available to us. In light of this, and when coupled with prayer, why would we turn anywhere else in the midst of the wait?

The final action in the wait is to serve others. There are numerous benefits that come from serving others. First and most importantly, serving others honors God and brings Him glory. Second, serving others addresses their needs in a practical manner. Through the process of serving, the door of opportunity to witness to the lost or encourage a believer is opened. While serving others we benefit by not focusing on our circumstances and speculating, rather we put our attention on Kingdom work. This isn't to imply that serving others will cause God to respond, it simply is a better use of our time in the wait. There's nothing we can do to change God's timing, there's plenty to do in the time He's allotted us. 

No one ever said waiting on the Lord would be easy, but it's always worth it because it's ultimately best for us. We can learn a lot in the wait and use the time to bear spiritual fruit. Even when God seems distant, He's always present and engaged. As men of God, seasons where we wait are opportunities for our light to shine brightest. In the midst of the season, people will witness our perseverance and trust, further authenticating our faith. When the wait comes to an end, it adds to our testimony and strengthens our witness. All in all, we draw closer to God when we trust Him in the wait.

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 ESV