Day 131, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Psalms 28, 39, 42, 43, 84; 2Samuel 16:16–17:23
The Silence of God
When we have troubles and situations which do not improve, even after we have prayed and trusted in the LORD, we may get discouraged and slip into periods of despair. Why does God not answer? He is silent—why doesn’t he act? What do we do about it? If we observe what King David did when God was quiet, we might find help for our situations.
Under pressure from a military takeover by Absalom, the king left the palace of Jerusalem. He trusted that if the LORD were pleased with him, he would return. David thought it would be soon, but it was not. What does he do now?
King David commits himself, his soldiers, and the people following him to wait on the LORD and keep serving him. But after waiting a while, it appears David slips into despair. He writes in one of his Psalms,
To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place (Psalm 28:1-2, NIV).
King David in Despair
God does not answer, and then David goes silent. He is the king and the people’s most revered spiritual leader, but now their king disappears into a shell. The LORD’s hand of discipline is heavy upon him, and David wants his joy renewed (Psalm 39:1-3, 7-11).In Psalm 42, David writes of the joyous times of the past when he led the people to worship the LORD and experience God’s blessing and favor. Now his soul is sad—David spends many days and nights in tears. What does he do to get out of this depression?
Coming out of Depression
First, David realizes that God is still the source of his deliverance, and so he earnestly seeks the LORD. The poet writes, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1-2, NIV)
Another of his songs also expresses an earnest desire for God.
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God…. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. (Psalm 84:2-4, NIV)Spurgeon Devotional Commentary gives this insight about these verses (Dr. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, was a famous preacher in the 1800s):
[David] envied the little birds which lodged about the tabernacle. When far away from the Lord's altars he wished he had wings to fly to them, as the sparrows did, or build near them after the manner of the swallows.When a child is disciplined, he usually seeks the restoration and favor of his loving parent. When we are under severe trials, we may feel an increased desire to pray, confess our sins, and read our Bibles. We will also draw near to God our heavenly father, go to church, and seek the fellowship of other Christians. The closer our relationship is to the LORD, the more we will desire to seek him.
Second, David has a frank talk with himself. David writes, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11 and 43:5, NIV).
Suppose we are experiencing the silence of God. In that case, we need to be sober-minded about the situation in which we find ourselves. Then, we should commit, like David, to trust God through our present difficulty.
Third, although the situation in Jerusalem remains the same, David has changed. He continues praying for God’s deliverance but with a renewed confidence in the LORD. David writes,
Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from deceitful and wicked men. You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. (Psalm 43:1-4, NIV)Quietly Behind the Scenes
David’s sin regarding Bathsheba and Uriah causes further problems for him, even though he is away from Jerusalem. Absalom’s most trusted advisor, Ahithophel, counsels him to have sex with his father David’s concubines (secondary wives). David had left them at the palace to care for it. His son does the dirty deed on top of the palace wall, during the day, and in the full sight of everyone. Absalom’s flagrant disdain for his father’s honor fulfills Nathan’s prophecy ( 2 Samuel 12:11-12, NIV).
David wonders, is there no end to God’s discipline? Did God forget me? No. We learn from today’s Bible reading (2 Samuel 16:16–17:23) that the LORD is protecting David from a devastating attack, working quietly behind the scenes.
Ahithophel counsels Absalom to initiate an immediate attack on his father while he is weak. Hushai the Arkite, David’s former advisor, frustrates the counsel of Ahithophel by telling Absalom that an attack on David, a seasoned warrior, would be a disastrous mistake. Absalom follows the advice of Hushai instead of Ahithophel.
It may seem unreasonable logic, but we can take encouragement from God’s silence unless we are guilty of sin. Although we may suffer mistreatment for our sins or the sins of others, God is merciful when we seek him. He quietly works on our behalf for his glory and our good, and this is a good silence. Let us keep trusting in God—he will deliver us when the time is right.
Focus Verse
Psalm 42:11 (NIV) “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Discussion
What should we do when the LORD does not answer our prayers right away?
God may be quiet because we have not turned to God from our sins, but what is another reason he may be silent?
Even spiritual leaders can fall into depression and despair. How did David get out of his depression? What can we learn from him?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: David asks for deliverance but unfortunately the only solution to his malady is A Painful Cure. Learn more about this and how God can help us through painful situations.
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