The Valley of Silence

READ: JEREMIAH 17:7-8

Sometimes it’s easier to ask where God is than to consider what the silence really means.

There are so many stories in the Bible of God using people in major ways. Moses led thousands of people from slavery, Joseph saved his known world from starvation, not to mention Jesus Himself making a way to save the world—past, present, and future—from sin and death.

What we often ignore are the stories before the story. God took Moses to an actual wilderness before taking him before Pharaoh. Joseph went to the wilderness of slavery before leading Egypt from starvation. Jesus fasted in the wilderness for forty days before starting His ministry, one that would make a way for salvation for humankind.

Often, Jesus takes us through a wilderness before using us. The key word there is through. He doesn’t just take us to the wilderness and leave us there. No, the wilderness is a training ground. And training grounds are meant for us to pass through, not to stay in. In His faithful timing, God will lead us not just to the wilderness but through it.

Wildernesses can feel like valleys of isolation and silence. But remember that even in the valley, the Holy Spirit is growing our roots into Christ (Romans 5:1-5; Colossians 2:6-7).

So, if God seems silent, draw in close to Him. Closeness with God requires dropping our walls and getting silent sometimes. It’s often in the silence that we hear God’s truth—the good news of Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Philippians 1:6). When we hear truth, we are trained in truth. And it’s only after we’ve been trained in truth that we can go out from the valley and onto the battlefield in confidence.

Psalm 32:7 says God surrounds us with “shouts of deliverance.” So, embrace the valley for the training ground it is, then go out and conquer as a member of Christ’s kingdom—God’s shouts of deliverance leading the way! • Sarah Rexford

• How has Jesus used valleys in your life to deepen your relationship with Him?

• We talked about how intimacy requires dropping our walls. What walls make it difficult for you personally to hear Jesus in your everyday life?

He led his people in the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:16 (CSB)