When God is silent and you aren’t sure of the next step, what do you do? What was the last thing He told you to do? What do you do when God is quiet?
These last few months have been a quiet time for me. The verses God has been repeating to me have been about healing, resting, waiting and trusting Him. There has been no instructions for moving forward.
Time at His feet is my favorite time of the day. Praying, reading and studying His word are my loves. I journal and write down every scripture that stands out but it’s not like it used to be in our time together. If you would like to see how I journal, you can download my template here.
He seems quiet. I know He listens and we enjoy the time together but He is quiet.
Lately, God has been quiet about the next phase of life.
He hasn’t revealed anything to me. It’s like being in the dark or as we say, limbo. I know I am to be serving but how? Doing what?
I have been hesitant to write about the topic I’m about to discuss because it is so complex.
My devotion the other day was about “Darkness”. Now, this is not the kind of darkness that God refers to when someone is living a life of sin or choosing an evil life. This is darkness IN His Presence, from being held very close to Him.
There is a difference. Don’t get me wrong, God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all and we cannot walk in sin and have fellowship with Him. This is different.
Oswald Chambers wrote in his book “My Utmost For His Highest”, there is “a darkness from too much light”.
This resonated with me. I have probably spent way too much time thinking about this but it fascinates me. The only thing I can compare it to is a very bright sunny day.
Have you ever gone outside on a bright day after being in the darkness? The sun is so bright it will blind you. Or have the lights been turned on quickly in the middle of the night? It takes awhile for your eyes to adjust to the brightness.
Oswald Chambers says this is the same thing that happens right before God is about to reveal something important to you.
Lately, God has me in a time of resting, trusting and waiting. I don’t understand why God has me here. I am not a “Be still” kind of person and that is all God has been saying to me for the past 6 months or so.
This isn’t the first time God and I have had this conversation. He has brought me to this place before when He was about to reveal something about Himself to me or about something He wants me to do or say.
Let me give you some examples of the Darkness that surrounds God that I’m referring to in scripture:
Exodus 20:21 (NIV)
21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
2 Samuel 22:10-12 (NIV)
10 He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
11 He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared[a] on the wings of the wind.
12 He made darkness his canopy around him—
the dark[b] rain clouds of the sky.
Psalm 97:2 (NIV)
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Deuteronomy 4:11-12 New International Version (NIV)
11 You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain while it blazed with fire to the very heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. 12 Then the Lord spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice.
Deuteronomy 5:23 New International Version (NIV)
23 When you heard the voice out of the darkness, while the mountain was ablaze with fire, all the leaders of your tribes and your elders came to me.
You see it? There is a darkness around Him (Ps. 97:2).
I’ve seen that verse a million times and never given it a lot of thought. When God is holding you close to Him and preparing you for the next part of His plan, there is a darkness. He is not going to shine light on the next revelation until He is finished with what He is doing in your life right now.
When God is holding you tight and you can’t see what He wants or is doing, be still and wait.
He is preparing you for something and know that the darkness is not dark to Him. He’s got you. He might be silent now but He’s very present and it is not dark to Him. Psalm 139:12
He is hiding you in the shadow of His hand (darkness), sharpening you and polishing you for service, hiding you in His quiver (darkness). Isaiah 49:2
Psalm 91:4 New International Version (NIV)
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings (It would be dark there) you will find refuge
Before Abram received the covenant from God, a darkness came over him.
Genesis 15:12 (NIV)
12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.
Psalm 18:28 (NIV)
28 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
God has a plan and He hasn’t forgotten about you. He will turn your darkness into light. When He is silent, wait. He will provide and protect you while you wait. We are not to go and light our own fires. Don’t give up praying and spending time in His word.
Isaiah 50:11 New International Version (NIV)
11 But now, all you who light fires
and provide yourselves with flaming torches,
go, walk in the light of your fires
and of the torches you have set ablaze.
This is what you shall receive from my hand:
You will lie down in torment.
When it is His timing He will reveal Himself to you. There won’t be a doubt in your mind whether it is Him.
Lamentations 3:24-26 (NIV)
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
When God says to “be still” and “wait” it is not a passive thing.
There is still work to be done while you be still and wait in His presence. This is why this blog was born. We are still to use our gifts to glorify Him and preach the Gospel.
What do you do when God is quiet? If God is silent right now, don’t run ahead of Him. Wait with me. I will tell you what He reveals to me when it’s time. Will you share with me what God is speaking to you? I would love to hear from you.
I am praying for all of you. If I can pray for you, email me and let me know: Shawna@streamspouredout.com.
I will pray, I promise.
If God has told you to be still and wait, do that. But don’t be lazy while you wait. After all, we are to pray without ceasing, love unconditionally, act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.
And…well, there is ALWAYS laundry…
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Even while you wait, you are still a saint! Thank you for your prayers sweet friend and for sharing your gifts and talents with the world! 😇
PS: Can I bring you my laundry?😘
First of all, you are so precious to me and I will always pray for you. And secondly, the laundry thing…Of course, any time!
Thanks for the prayer journal template.
You are so welcome. I hope you enjoy it.