God Is Not Silent
We live in the age of rapid communication. Push a few buttons and we
can instantly speak with someone halfway around the world.
We can send pages of printed information through the internet and fax
machines. But the highest form of communication and the one that
spans the greatest distance is communication with God.
The Bible tells us that God spoke in different ways, to different people, at
different times. He spoke through the prophets, visions, dreams, a
still small voice, and direct dialogue. But how does God speak with us today? He certainly can speak to us audibly-He's God and He can do
whatever He likes. But today we often find that He has chosen two
primary means of communication: His Word and prayer.
What do we learn from God's communication with us?
That He is in control and that He desires for us to participate in His activities through prayer.
God is in control. In Genesis 18 there is an excellent example of
just how in control God is when we see God considering what to tell
Abraham about His plans for Sodom. "The Lord said, 'Shall I hide from
Abraham what I am doing'" (Genesis 18:17).
In essence, God is saying, "How much information should I give to Abraham?
How much does he really need to know?" This incident gives us insight into how God
thinks. You and I are only given partial knowledge of what God is
doing. He shares the part of information He sees fit for us to know.
This is often difficult to accept, especially in times of trial.
During those times, we are tempted to question God's ability to make
the right choices. In fact we're tempted to counsel the Lord; tempted
to take matters into our own hands. We all need to come to the place
where no matter what, we believe God is in control whether He has
chosen to reveal every detail of His plan or not.
Participate in Prayer. From Abraham's continuing dialogue with God in
Genesis 18, we see that prayer is simply participation in what God is
already doing. It's like a father who goes to fix the car or paint
the fence when their child comes to them and says, "Let me help,
Daddy!" Sure, the project would go more smoothly without Junior's
help, but it brings joy to the father's heart to see his child
wanting to be involved in his work. In the same way, God wants us to participate with Him in what He is doing. As Abraham talks with God,
we see that although at first it appears that Abraham was bargaining
with God, God was actually letting him participate in what He had
planned. God was about to destroy Sodom because of the wickedness of
its people, but Abraham intercedes for Sodom.
He takes it upon himself to remind God of His holiness and righteousness.
He then asks if God will destroy the wicked with the righteous.
He asks if God will spare the city of Sodom for the sake of fifty righteous . . . then five less than fifty . . . then five less than that . . . and so on until God agrees to spare the city for only ten people.
It sounds as if Abraham manipulated God or backed Him into a corner.
But God doesn't need to be reminded to do what is right.
That's part of His nature. God only does what is completely righteous.
Abraham is really not manipulating God as much as he is agreeing with God in prayer.
We see evidence that God initiated this whole conversation and led
Abraham along until He brought Abraham to the place that met His
satisfaction. "So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished
speaking with Abraham" (Genesis 18:33). It doesn't say, "When Abraham
finished speaking with God . . ." The Lord had finished talking to
Abraham. This suggests that God initiated the whole conversation.
When Abraham responded the right way, when he reached a certain
degree of understanding and acceptance, the work of intercession was
complete. It was God's will to display the level of His compassion
that would save a wicked town for the sake of ten righteous people,
and for Abraham's sake He allowed him to be part of the process.
Through this incident we see that God is in control and allows us to
participate in His plans through prayer. God has given us a very
personal and readily available way to communicate with Him-through
His Son Jesus Christ. "God, who at various times and in various ways
spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last
days spoken to us by His Son . " (Hebrews 1:1-2). Through Jesus
Christ, God has spoken to His people and still speaks today.
We have the Word of God, the Spirit of Christ living in believers' hearts,
and we have direct access to the Father through prayer.
By faith in Jesus Christ and by hearkening to His voice, we can hear directly
from the Lord. Allow God to speak to you today.
All you need is an open, willing heart and a little time in stillness before Him.
Open His Word, go to Him in prayer, and listen to what He has to say.
As one man put it, "God is there and He is not silent."
Skip Heitzig
submitted by Red
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