Even When You Don't Hear God, Trust JOYfully

           Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Can you hear me?  Did you drink in the JOY of the Lord this morning?

            At times, we do have difficulty hearing one another.  Sometimes we are preoccupied, too busy to hear what’s being said.  Other times we choose not to spend quality time with someone; when we are not intentional about making time for each other, it’s a challenge to know what’s going on in the other person’s life.  Even with happily married couples, there are times of intimacy & deep communication---AND times of being separated for one reason or another.  May I suggest that this is also true in our relationship with God?

            Though God is ALWAYS there, we may go through a “dry spell” where it seems our communication with Him is one-sided!   We pray, asking for answers and direction but it seems we hear “nothing”.  When you find yourself in one of these “dry spells”, be encouraged that many strong Christians admit to this very challenge. 

          Author Dallas Willard wrote a wonderful book entitled Hearing God. He gives  many helpful tips on the subject… from the Bible and from his personal life experiences. HOWEVER….even this “expert” on the subject of communication with God says that he has times when he doesn’t hear God’s voice! What does he do then?  He is convinced that the best advice is to continue to: “Obey the Lord: love God and your neighbor.”  

            Even when we are not hearing God’s voice, may we hold on to the joy found in the assurance of scripture such as Isaiah 26:4:   “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.”