When people are searching for God, they long for some tangible evidence of His presence and involvement in their lives. They want to hear an audible voice. They want to see some dramatic action. A neon message across the sky would be nice. The desire is for some clear guidance. We want to know whether to take a particular job, marry a certain person, or take some other life-changing step. How do we know the right thing to do?
Certainly, the Bible gives instances of God speaking personally to Abraham and Moses. It also reports plenty of drama. The Red Sea parted for the Israelites, then closed to swallow their enemies. Fire came down from heaven when Elijah prayed.
For most of us though, our experience does not include an audible heavenly voice, or a lightning bolt to destroy our enemies.
God may not speak audibly, but He does speak. He has actually already spoken to us a lot. The words recorded for us in the Bible by Moses, Jeremiah, Paul, and others give us timeless principles. God doesn’t need to speak to us the same way He spoke to the Prophets. Maybe we don’t hear God’s voice guiding us because we haven’t paid attention to what He has already said. The Bible is God’s inspired word. An understanding of His overarching truth helps us have wisdom for the specific situations we face. But, hearing God’s voice requires more than just reading the Bible for information.
First of all, anyone who wants to hear God must know Him. We know God the Father by putting our faith in Jesus (John 1:12). Knowing Jesus enables us to hear His voice (John 10:3,4). He often speaks in a whisper. God’s Spirit gives us understanding of the things we read in the Bible, and teaches us how to apply it in our daily lives. He impresses on us what He wants us to discern from our circumstances.
The issue isn’t really whether God speaks, but whether we are listening.
Sometimes, even though we are listening, it is hard to hear God’s voice. Even the most faithful believers experience times of silence. The Psalms give evidence of such disturbing quiet. David asks why God seems so far away, and how long He will forget him (Psalm 10:1, 13:1).
God has promised He will never leave us. So, when we are searching for God and He is silent, there are several possible explanations. It may be unconfessed sin that interferes with our ability to hear anything from God. It may be we haven’t responded to what He said the last time He spoke. Have we ignored clear guidance the Lord has given? It may be that God is just giving us room to think. He may be teaching a lesson that would be more meaningful to us if we ponder it awhile instead of Him telling us how to proceed in the moment.
The Lord may be silent because we are asking Him for the wrong things. Jesus was silent when Herod wanted to be entertained by a miracle.
There may be periods of silence in any believer’s life–times when God’s perspective isn’t immediately clear in our circumstances. But when we read the Bible prayerfully, seeking God’s will, He has a way–over time–of making clear where we need to be and what we need to do.
When we approach God by faith, He reveals Himself. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him. We must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). God does speak. We can trust that in the times of silence, He won’t abandon us. He won’t stay silent forever. God promises when we seek Him, we will find Him. We just need enough faith to search for Him expectantly.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
What is your experience when searching for God? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
Copyright 2025 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay
Sometimes God speaks to us through other people…maybe even a stranger!
Indeed! Thank you, Nora.