Silence Does Not Mean We Are Alone
Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament written about 435 B.C. It would be over 400 years before God would speak again from heaven by sending his Son, Jesus, to be born of the virgin, Mary. It is not insignificant that the Old Testament closes with the word “curse.” Malachi writes, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6).
Over a thousand years of broken law had left the children of Israel without a claim under their covenant. In fact, one has summarized the Old Testament as unexplained ceremonies, unfulfilled prophecies, and unsatisfied longings. The Old Testament closes looking for a person, i.e. “I will send you Elijah the prophet.” God is faithful for the New Testament opens introducing us to Jesus Christ. “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1).
Though there were over 400 years of “silence” from God, he did not leave his people without his witness. His last command was “Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments” (Malachi 4:6). His word is forever settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89) and Christ himself asserted “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). God’s silence does not mean that he is not there. His promises remain faithful!
Anticipating the long, silent period, God urged his people to remember his law. He invites us to do the same today. There are periods of time in our lives when the heavens do, indeed, seem silent and unresponsive to our prayers. We are called upon to lay hold on his promises and refresh our souls by that which he has already declared. We are never alone. Jesus told his followers “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). When I do not see him working, I rest in the promise of his presence. He cannot lie and his presence is provision enough.
The prophet Haggai was sent by God to stir the people to complete the work of rebuilding the temple after their captivity. His message from God was “Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house…I am with you, saith the LORD” (Haggai 1:8-13). Jesus Christ told his followers shortly before he returned to heaven “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19-20). Child of God, whatever your burden, whatever your work, God is with you, even in the silence. He has promised.
Randy Livingston serves as a chaplain for a local police department. He writes devotionals for his ministry which also appear at his blog, From the Chaplain. We republish this post by permission.
Photo by Noah Silliman on Unsplash