Sometimes we must experience desperate circumstances in order to understand that God is all we need.

Christianity.com -
The Silence of God Series – Article 2 of 4

As we grow in our relationship with God, we may feel, at times, that we do not understand the way that He works in our lives. His plans are not always clear to us. Yet, He owes us no explanations. In Part 2 of a four-article series, Nancy McGuirk reminds us that God wants us to trust Him in all situations. When we encounter difficult circumstances, we are reminded of our great need for God. Sometimes, however, we do not understand that God is all we need, until He is all we have.

Let us imagine, for a moment, that we are one of the disciples sitting in the Upper Room three days after the crucifixion.

We are emotionally devastated and bitterly disappointed with God for allowing our dear friend and Savior to die on the cross. We pray. Yet, we receive only silence.

Perhaps we might picture ourselves as Mary or Martha, mourning the death of our beloved brother Lazarus.

We have prayed and sent word to our good friend Jesus, pleading for an act of healing. Yet, several days have passed and still there has been no response—only silence.

Let us imagine ourselves in Joseph’s place, sitting alone at the bottom of a well, left there by our brothers to die.

Where is God now? Is He unable to hear our cry for help? These questions are not perplexing to God. (Even Jesus Himself prayed three times for God to deliver Him from His inevitable fate. Yet, God, His Father, had a different plan.) God’s plan is not always clear to us in this life.

No one has ever experienced the silence of God more than Job of the Old Testament.

Yet, God makes it clear in this moving story that He owes us no explanations. Job discovered God’s power to transform his life through tragedy. God wants us to learn to trust Him in all situations.

Sometimes we must experience the worst possible circumstances in order to realize that God is all we need. Most of us, however, do not understand this concept until He is all we have.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upon close examination, we clearly see God’s hand in all these situations. Despite His silence, we see that He was very much present, changing lives, and performing miracles.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nancy McGuirk - Bible commentator, small group facilitator, and intercessor - is the founder and director of the Women's Community Bible Study International. Nancy ministers to thousands of people each week in person and through a video and audio tape ministry. The focus of her work is evangelism, discipleship and intercessory prayer. For more articles by Nancy McGuirk, go to her website at Women’s Community Bible Study a Christianity.com ministry partner.