When God Isn't Talking
Two extremes that concern me about believers
1. When God tells them everything
2. When God doesn’t tell them anything
God is always talking
· Often expect to hear an audible voice
· Expect a specific action – answer to a prayer based on scripture
Then, when that doesn’t happen, they either question God or question self:
· Am I not spiritual enough?
· What did I do to cause this?
· Does God care?
This is a Very Real Issue – It’s Biblical
Job 30:20
I cry to you for help and you do not answer me; I stand, and you only look at me.
David – Ps 13:1
How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
Habakkuk 1:2
Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear?
Even cry out to You, "Violence!" and You will not save.
Jeremiah – Lam 3:8
Even when I cry and shout, He shuts out my prayer
Even Jesus experience the silence of God - during THE most critical time of Jesus’ life,
Jesus prays, 3 times – each time “more earnestly”
“Don’t make me do this”
Nothing from his Father: “Say something, God!”
Some of Jesus’ last words: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
I’m not supposed to be alone if God said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”
How did I survive when it seems like God isn’t talking, & I desperately need to hear from Him?
Luke 24:13–31
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
These 2 disciples were sad… and disappointment with Jesus
21 We had hoped
Now, they were leaving
We function from the assumption that Jesus is not there
We just don’t recognize Him
15 Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
Psalm 103:7
He made known His ways (character) to Moses, – path one walks
His acts to the people of Israel.
Next: We see Jesus scolding them
“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Why? Because they did not believe
What did they NOT believe? The message of the Prophets
They were looking for Jesus – they need Him… an answer… confirmation
Jesus was right there with them,
but He did not point to Himself
He pointed to the Scripture
We are wanting God to say something to us in our “Now situation”
When, if we knew His ways, we would know that He has already said something
Amos 3:7
For the Lord God does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets.
He has already done everything to prepare us – in advance
Not an issue of what He’s saying now or if He is not saying anything now
He has already talked to us – He’s talking now!
But I don’t feel prepared
We’re back to “God doesn’t talk to me”
Yes, He does!
· Do you know how God talks?
· Are you paying attention?
· Do you believe what He’s saying?
What did Jesus tell these 2 disciples? You didn’t believe the prophets
“These things were written for our learning” – are you “learning”?
You don’t learn warfare in the battle. You are trained for battle in the camp
Look at Jesus in the silence of His father – He’s singing a song from Ps 22
We must make it a priority to know His Word!
Paul – Phil 3:8
I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord
Let’s make our conclusion:
How do we survive when it God is not talking to us…
You survive on His Word already spoken
IF YOU HAVE HIS WORD, YOU HAVE HIM
Lastly, I want you to see what caused them to recognize Him
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it
and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.
They recognized Him in the Process
· You will be Blessed
· You will be Broken
Your brokenness does not indicate uselessness – but usefulness
· All because He wants to be able to Give you
God was NOT created for me – I was created for God