Do Not Be Silent

"O God, do not remain quiet; do not be silent and, O God, do not be still" (Psalm 83)

Many theologians, mystics and spiritual writers speak of silence as an essential part of spiritual formation. One of the prophets says: "But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him" (Habakkuk 2:20). There is a time to be silent and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Sometimes we need to just be still and know that our God is Lord (Psalm 46:10). In this vast silence, when we have hushed the clamoring of our cluttered brains, when we have drowned out the noise of chaotic modern living, or when we have taken time to be alone and remember who we are and what we were created for, we can begin to feel God's presence and appreciate his love. We are ready to pray. And yet, sometimes we pray and all we receive for an answer is silence.

There are times when God is silent, to teach us deep truths. God's name, for example, is never mentioned in the Book of Esther, and yet what a spiritual treasure that book is. God works through words of life (John 6:68) and through silence--sometimes lasting some 400 years, as during the inter-testamental period. Perhaps God speaks to us with silence when we have belabored Him with our vain words: "You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, 'How have we wearied Him?' In that you say, 'Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them,' or 'Where is the God of justice?'" (Malachi 2:17); "Your words have been arrogant against Me,' says the LORD." (Malachi 3:13). Sometimes, after reading of the visions and experiences of the prophets and apostles, it is easy to feel that we have lived in a long period of silence--a period without miracles, visions, and direct communication with God that has lasted since about 100 AD. And yet, this is the era of the Scriptures, the era when God has spoken the most. Every day new Bibles roll of the press in newer translations, in newer languages. God is speaking--but have we entered into our own silence to listen to Him?

I wonder if we do. There are more scholarly journals, reference books, professional associations, debates, radio shows, televisions shows, documentaries, online resources, bookstores, libraries and conferences dedicated to Christianity than at any other point in our 2000 years of history. Trying to research a religious topic can be overwhelming from the sheer volume of materials available. Can we hear God speak through all this print? As Solomon once said, "The writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body" (Ecclesiastes 12:12). And John wrote, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written" (John 21:25). This was no exaggeration. This was a well-thought out, calculated and prophetic statement. Of books, we have no shortage, but we hunger for God more than ever before. We can surgically analyze and comment on the texts of the Bible, but we cannot hear the Word speak. The cacophony of theological literature has brought us a different kind of silence from God.

I do not think God wishes to always be silent with us. The way he conversed with Adam (Genesis 2) and the way Jesus conversed with his followers amply shows the desire of God for conversation (Isaiah 1). This conversation happens not just through the reading of the Scripture, but also through humble prayer. And there are many ways to pray. Abraham respectfully argued with God (Genesis 18:22-33), Jacob wrestled with an angel (Genesis 32:24-32), Hannah cried and prayed silently (1 Samuel 1:12-18), Paul and Silas sang hymns in prison (Acts 16:22-40). And how did Jesus pray? With joy and confidence (John 17), with tears and sweat drops of blood (Luke 22:44), with an agonizing cry in the midst of crucifixion: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). In various ways, people of faith have lifted up their voices to heaven for one thing, and one thing only: to hear and know the Word (John 1).

Our God speaks to us through Jesus, and it is through Jesus that God will not remain silent and will not be still, but will stretch forth His hand to touch your life and change you forever. Jesus will be there with you when you cry, because he cried. Jesus will be there when you bleed, because he bled and died for you. Jesus will laugh and rejoice when you are happy, because he knew that God works good for those that love Him. And Jesus will teach you how to pray and how to come to the Father.

Our world needs two things: Christianity that is actually interested in Christ and his teachings and a Christianity that respects the Word of God. Our world needs Jesus: "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world" (Hebrews 1:1-2).

The photograph above is by Kuwabara Shisei, and depicts someone suffering from Minamata disease. Sometimes when we have time to pray, we think we do not know what to pray for. If you ever have this experience, pray for any number of the people suffering in this world, such as the person in that photograph; you will never run out of things to say to God, and He is waiting for you to speak to Him so that He may in turn speak to you.