When God Is Silent

How long, LORD, must I call for help, but You do not listen? \

Habakkuk 1:2

There’s an old saying that originated in America around 1910. “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” It’s commonly understood to mean that the loudest noise gets the attention.

My boss employs the “squeaky wheel” concept. He rarely heeds an employee’s concerns unless they emphatically and repeatedly voice their needs.

I’m quiet by nature. I’ve wondered whether or not it’s biblical to keep asking for the same thing. Luke 18:1 introduces Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow. Jesus used her repeated complaint before a judge as an example for the disciples to continue praying and not give up.

I determined to persevere in prayer on behalf of my young children. I prayed for over twenty years for them to be allowed to experience the nurturing presence of a daddy. The first ten years was after my husband and I divorced and we were separated by thousands of miles. The next ten years followed his untimely death. During those decades, there was no clear answer from God.

In spite of knowing that God is Father to the fatherless, my heart wanted more. My faith waivered and I took matters into my own hands several times. Foolishness prevailed while attempting to fix what I determined was a problem, which only complicated things. As my son and daughter grew older my prayers were altered to include an adult mentor or friend. Still no answer.

My children are adults now and on their own. One morning, a few years ago, I stood at my bathroom vanity getting ready for work. In the midst of my thoughts, God spoke gently, yet clearly to my heart, “Stop asking for a father for your children. Trust me.” The silence was broken, but the message stung and caught me off-guard. Gradually, acceptance came and I chose to embrace God’s perfect way.

Lord, I thank You for allowing me to be persistent in prayer, even when You are silent. By faith, may I wait patiently for You to accomplish all that concerns me and my loved ones.

Karen Sims