There are times in our lives when we don't seem to be hearing from the Lord. We don't sense His presence and all out communication appears to be one-way. We want to ask, "Where are You, Lord?" We may even begin to doubt His existence! The Bible reminds us that such times will happen in our lives. The last book written in the Old Testament is Malachi. At the end of that book(and the end of the OT as well) we read these words: "...the Sun of righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture...Look, I am sending the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers."(Mal. 4:2,5,6) And then silence. As far as we know, God's people did not hear from God for 400 years. They must have been wondering if the promises of God were real, or if they had heard correctly, or even if they were making up the whole thing.
Then finally, four centuries later, came these words: "The good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God..."
Now, all of a sudden, the people were not simply hearing from God through the prophets, they were hearing directly from Him.(Heb. 1:1,2, Jn. 1:!,!4) God was here! He was here in the flesh!
I am preaching to myself when I tell you that you should not fret over the times in your lives when you do not seem to be hearing from the Lord. It is true that such times should put you on your knees, bring you to the altar, and cause you to ask God if there is "any wicked way in me"(Ps. 139:24) But sometimes the Lord is just allowing a time of testing so you can trust Him and not your feelings.
The time of silence will come to an end. His promises are "yes and amen" in Christ. there will be a time of a renewed awareness of God and what He is saying to you. The good news will come alive again and Jesus will be more real to you than ever. And you will "go free, leaping with joy."
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