The Industry of Silence

Texting, or some variation thereof, has become an integral part of our lives. It's how we stay in touch. A simple reminder to buy paper towels, a quick question about tomorrow's meeting, maybe just an emoji to let someone know you're thinking of them. God has spoken to humanity for ages. Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us:

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, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;   

And what a message He sent! It's a message, I think, we tend to take for granted: God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son so that anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

In earliest times, God spoke directly to His people. Eventually, He called out priests, prophets, and judges through whom He revealed His character and His plan for mankind. The laws, celebrations, and symbols they stewarded established the people's knowledge of God. Then, 400 years of silence. No prophets, no new revelation.

In the passage above, Hebrews 1, the second verse tells us God's means of communication changed significantly after that time of silence. God, who had spoken before through other men, in these last days spoke through His very own Son. Jesus' birth, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, and the very beginnings of the Church communicated a message of love so great He would give His all, and we would be invited to imitate Him in that. This was the culmination and continuation of God's plan of forgiveness and restoration of relationship. It, too, is the assurance that there is great gain even in suffering --one of the paradoxes of the Christian life.

Another paradox is the industry of silence. I keep a small card nestled in my Bible, right between the Tanakh and the New Testament. It reminds me of those years of silence. Though God was not speaking during those four hundred years, He had not forgotten or forsaken His people. He was working, establishing all of world history and preparing hearts to make ready for the Light of the world to be born. Those who loved Him, who remained faithful, who trusted that though He was silent He was not idle, did not hear His voice either. They had no assurance God was still working or was still present except the faith He had given them. The measure of faith, we are told in Paul's letter to the Romans, each of us is given.

So, what is my measure of faith? Are some given less than others? When God gives, He gives liberally --love so great He would give His all, remember? I don't believe there's any shortage of faith imparted by God; what we choose to do with that faith is, I believe, an entirely different story. I want to leave you with the questions the Holy Spirit put on my heart as I read Hebrews this morning. I pray you will consider them, make any appropriate changes, and seek to meet any challenges.

What am I doing to grow my faith, to keep the fire stoked? Am I praying and listening? Am I reading Scripture and actively involved with others who read Scripture? Am I part of regular worship --in community and by myself? Am I always looking to take my relationship with my Lord to the next level? Am I willing to surrender to the hard things, things that will require me to trust Him completely for outcomes? Can I say with complete assurance, God is working for my good WHETHER I SEE HIM, HEAR HIM, FEEL HIM, OR NOT?