When the Lord is Quiet

by Meredith Woolwine

Every teacher knows the importance of “wait-time,” the educational process of a teacher posing a question and waiting for the students’ responses. Often this wait-time can feel uncomfortable—insecurities may slip in the mind of both the teacher and student, and there may even be the spoken “Umm…” from a louder learner in the group. Although it may produce discomfort, wait-time also yields many fruitful results: time for processing, formulation of thought, and ultimately an understanding and proclamation of truth.
As Christians, we experience different periods of wait-time. We cry out to the Lord. We beg for him to answer us. Yet, we often hear nothing. Where do we turn? We must diligently reference the “truthful textbook”—God’s Holy Word. The waiting is difficult, but our loving Teacher is always close through his Word.

David, the man after God’s own heart, was no stranger to this process. In Psalm 27, David cried, “Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!” (v. 9). In the wait-time, David remembered and declared who God is: a helper, a savior. In the wait-time, David reflected on the truth. In the wait-time, David processed his situation, formed his thoughts, and ultimately proclaimed the truth. “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (v. 13-14 NIV) 

Let us be like David in our wait-time. Let us unabashedly come to God, our Teacher. Let us be honest about our troubles, patient when he is quiet, rehearsing and resting in his truths, and then eager to share them with others.