Quiet patches of journey are a common traveling companion. This awareness grows the longer a person walks with God. Stillness of voice, however, does not mean absence of presence. But in a culture where bigger is better and greater amounts of something mean happiness, what are we to do with quietness of God?
The movement from constant divine voice to stillness punctuated with presence is truly the movement from sight to faith. God desires that we grow into people who walk by faith and not by sight. As we grow in our trust and knowing of God, we too are growing in our faith, depending less upon the signs and wonders of younger belief.
Moses’ God-journey began with burning bush, but he didn’t spend the rest of his life trying to get another one. God slowly weaned him from the visual to the austere. Next it would be signs before Pharaoh, then a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire culminating with a journey into the dark…Mount Sinai. The mountain was shrouded in darkness as Moses’ encounter with God deepened.
Moses journey ended strangely. Not allowed to enter the promised land, alone atop Mount Nebo, Moses died and was buried. Pretty obscure, no signs, no burning bush, however, the presence of God was there. You would think the funeral service for Moses would be a pretty significant event for the nation of Israel. They had escaped bondage and slavery and finally after 40 years of wandering, found their way home.
Yet the scene for Moses’ death and burial lack the expected pomp and circumstance generally afforded to those who walk intimately with God…in fact God alone officiated Moses burial. I can only imagine the conversation the two of them had there.
The following thoughts are from the book Jesus Calling and help when the voice of God seems quiet…
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When I give you no special guidance, stay where you are. Concentrate on doing your everyday tasks in awareness of My Presence with you. The joy of My Presence will shine on you, as you do everything for Me. Thus you invite Me into every aspect of your life. Through collaborating with Me in all things, you allow My life to merge with yours. This is the secret not only of joyful living but also of victorious living. I designed you to depend on Me moment by moment, recognizing that apart from Me you can do nothing.
Be thankful for quiet days, when nothing special seems to be happening. Instead of being bored by the lack of action, use times of routine to seek My Face. Although this is an invisible transaction, it speaks volumes in spiritual realms. Moreover, you are richly blessed when you walk trustingly with Me through the routines of your day.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters… Colossians 3:23
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4
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When you walk in the quiet or the unknown, you are not unknown, and the silence sings with Gods presence. Be encouraged that the quiet patches are normal, and it means that God is moving you from glory to glory, and that you are transitioning from sigh to faith.
Monty
