Surviving The Silence Series

SURVIVING THE SILENCE

Psalm 13:1-6

There are numerous synonyms that we use to describe times of difficulty; we speak of walking through a valley, wandering through the wilderness, or enduring a storm. Each of these metaphors is used to describe the severe troubles that we experience in this life.

Troublesome times are not exclusive to Christians, everyone who has ever lived has endured much trouble. Job said, “Man who is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). I am sure that every one of you have endured your fair share of troubles, pain, and heartache. Many of us would testify that it was our relationship with the LORD that sustained us through the deepest and darkest valleys. We find great hope and assurance through the Scriptures and we are able to press on in spite of the severity of our troubles. With that being said, one of the most difficult things that we will ever experience in this life is when, in the midst of a “storm”, we cry out to God and He is silent.

If we are “in Christ” then we are God’s children, as such, we have direct access to the Father. Furthermore, we have the opportunity (and the obligation) to spend time communing with Him. We talk to God through prayer and He speaks to us through His Word. This is indeed a grand and glorious privilege, however, there are times when it seems as if we are having a one-way conversation; sometimes these periods of silence are extended and excruciating!

Some of you may be in the midst of such a time as we speak. If so, I believe that our selected text is one that will provide you with hope, encouragement, and instruction. I would like for us to examine this Psalm of David and consider the thought “Surviving The Silence”.

Many commentators believe that this Psalm was penned by David when he was hiding from King Saul in the wilderness. Others think that it came about as a result of David’s own son Absalom rebelling and plotting against him. Regardless of the specifics, it is clear that this mighty man of God was weak, weary, and at the point of despair. The primary issue at this point was not David’s circumstances, but rather his distress concerning the seeming abandonment by God.

- As we consider how to survive the silence of God, let us begin by examining:

I. OUR PROBLEM

Often when we talk about the storms of life we focus on those issues that cause us physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual suffering. In this assembly there are people who are dealing with various health issues, strained marriages, rebellious children, financial struggles, and more. Some of you are walking through a period of grief as a result of losing a loved one. Several others may be in the midst of some sort of spiritual unrest. As difficult as these things are, our suffering is amplified when it seems as if God has abandoned us.

- With all of the many problems that we experience in this life, one of the most distressing is that there are times when:

A. WE FEEL AS IF THE LORD HAS FORGOTTEN US

1a How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?

Three times in this Psalm David asks the question, “how long?”. This was a rhetorical question; when he said, “how long?” David did not expect God to speak from Heaven and say, “two more weeks”. This phrase was David’s way of expressing his frustration over the fact that it seemed that God had forgotten about him.

Though this is one of the darker Psalms, it is one of my favorites; I appreciate the honesty of David’s lament to God. Keep in mind, David was God’s man. This is the man that God chose to be the leader of His people. David is the one whom God described as a man after His own heart. Knowing that he possessed such a close relationship with God it must have confused David greatly as he endured this period of silence.

Similarly, when we experience the silence of God we may be exceedingly confused. Think about it, we are God’s children! We know the great price that He paid for our redemption. We are assured of His love for us, and if He loves us like He says He does, why would He be silent when our world is falling apart? Why are there times when He does not answer even when we have pleaded with Him fervently and consistently? Like David, there may be times when we feel as if our circumstances and His silence is unfair and we cry out, “How long Lord?!”

- Sometimes our problem is that we feel as if God has forgotten us; but there are other times that are even worse. I am referring to the fact that sometimes: