When the heavens feel silent

Have you ever felt like heaven is silent or God doesn’t care? I’ll never forget the story in the Bible about the expert fishermen who panicked during a storm. They accused Jesus of not caring about them: “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, don’t You care if we drown?’” (Mark 4:37-38, NIV) Can you imagine being in that boat during a massive storm? For these experienced seamen to panic, you know it must have been an incredible storm on the Sea of Galilee. 

I’m pretty sure that the storms of your life are also overwhelming during this pandemic-dominated season. I’m so sorry. It’s scary, and our future may seem to be doomed to fear and discouragement. But God is about to speak to your mind. He will tell you which way to go. 

I was reading Isaiah 6 yesterday morning during my daily prayer appointment with God. I was struck by the similarities to this year. Isaiah starts the chapter with “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above Him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.” (Isaiah 6:1-2, NIV) 

This first fact might seem insignificant, but the death of a ruler changed everyone’s life and livelihood. Isaiah did not live in a democracy—he lived in captivity. His life was hanging by a thin cord, dependent on the whims of the king. It was in this difficult season of uncertainty that Isaiah had a fresh vision of God and responded in a life-transforming way: “‘Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.’ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.” (Isaiah 6:5-6, NIV)  

friend, do you ever feel inadequate when you face hardship or approach God? I do. I can really relate to Isaiah’s sense of woe! And yet, Isaiah 6:8 reveals the moment that this great prophet heard the voice of God: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8, NIV) This is the perfect season for you to hear the voice of God and reply, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.” Because you are a miracle.