Finding Peace in the Silence: Embracing God’s Preparation

Gary Bush December 2, 2024

In our fast-paced world of instant gratification, waiting can feel like torture. We’ve all been there – staring at our phones, watching those three little dots dance as we anxiously await a response. Or perhaps we’ve found ourselves in the middle of nowhere, desperately searching for a cell signal. These moments of waiting and silence can be frustrating, but what if they hold a deeper spiritual significance?

Throughout history, God’s people have experienced seasons of silence. Perhaps one of the most notable was the 400-year period between the Old and New Testaments. After centuries of communication through prophets, kings, and miraculous signs, it seemed as though God had gone quiet. This silence must have been deafening to those waiting for a word from the Lord.

But here’s the thing about silence – it doesn’t mean absence. Jesus himself said, “My Father is always at work to this very day, and I too am working” (John 5:17). This profound truth reminds us that even when we can’t see or hear God’s activity, He is working behind the scenes.

In fact, we can view God’s silence as His preparation. During those 400 years of apparent quiet, God was setting the stage for the greatest plot twist in history – the arrival of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, as a helpless baby. This period saw the spread of a common Greek language, the construction of Roman roads, and the preservation of hope among the Jewish people. All of these factors would later contribute to the rapid spread of the Gospel.

When we find ourselves in seasons of waiting, it’s crucial to remember that God is never late. As the wizard Gandalf famously said, “A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.” The same is true of our God. The Apostle Paul affirms this in Romans 5:6, stating that “at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”

During times of silence, we can draw strength from God’s Word. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours. When we don’t understand the waiting, we can trust that God sees the bigger picture. Just as Jesus countered temptation with Scripture, we too can cling to God’s promises during our periods of silence.

These quiet seasons also present an opportunity for our faith to grow. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” It’s easy to believe when we’re witnessing miracles, but true faith thrives in the absence of evidence. The heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 trusted God even when they couldn’t see the fulfillment of His promises.

Consider Abraham, who left his home without knowing the destination, simply because God told him to go. These examples challenge us to trust God even when His voice seems distant. Our faith muscles grow stronger in the silence, preparing us for whatever God has planned next.

The impact of waiting is perhaps most keenly felt during the Christmas season. The anticipation builds as we count down the days, much like the world waited for the arrival of the Messiah. John 1:14 beautifully captures the moment when the wait was over: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

This long-awaited arrival changed the course of history forever. Jesus ushered in redemption, breaking the 400-year silence and fulfilling centuries of prophecy. Now, as believers, we find ourselves in another period of waiting – anticipating Christ’s second coming to complete the plan of redemption.

So how do we find comfort in the waiting? Lamentations 3:25-26 offers this wisdom: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” This passage, along with the promise that God’s mercies are new every morning, encourages us to trust God one day at a time.

When worry creeps in about the future, remember that God provides what we need for each day. His mercies are new every morning, not pre-packaged for next week or next year. This truth invites us to live in the present, trusting God for today and believing He’ll equip us for tomorrow when it comes.

If you’re in a season of silence, here’s a challenge: cling to God’s Word. Whether you start with the Gospel of Mark, dive into the Psalms, or explore another part of Scripture, commit to reading God’s Word daily. Ask Him to speak to you through it and to give you strength in the waiting.

Psalm 27:13-14 offers this encouragement: “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Even in the silence, God is at work in your life.

Embrace the waiting. Allow it to prepare you for what’s ahead. Let it strengthen your faith. Look forward with hope, knowing that these quiet moments are drawing you into a deeper experience of God’s presence.

Remember, our circumstances don’t dictate who God is. He remains constant, faithful, and good – even in the silence. So the next time you find yourself staring at those three dots, waiting for a reply, let it remind you of the greater waiting we all experience. And in that waiting, may you find peace, knowing that God is always working, always preparing, and always right on time.