From Handbook to God’s Promises
Have you ever been in a relationship in which you talk but the other person doesn’t? You ask questions but get blank stares for answers? You plead for the person’s participation, but he or she just doesn’t get the message?
Granted, that scenario is a bit overstated. Few people could maintain such a silent silhouette and have any friends at all. But think of the “religious” world. How many millions of people today are bowing before silent idols of wood or stone—idols that have never uttered one word in response? Worshipers pour out their hearts to these idols, asking for help, for blessings, for favors, for forgiveness, for salvation. And the idols remain stone-cold silent.
The late Dr. Francis Schaeffer, the apologist and theologian, wrote a book about the God of the Bible titled He Is There and He Is Not Silent. This title beautifully reflects the fact that Christians worship a Creator who speaks, a God who communicates willingly and openly with His creation. The God of Scripture is not that of the deist, who believes God created the universe and then abandoned it to run on its own. God is not like some great watchmaker who created a clock, wound it up, and then set it on a mantel to run down.
No, God has spoken; the writer to the Hebrews tells us that God has intervened in national and personal affairs. In the Old Testament period, God spoke primarily through His prophets. He did this “in many portions and in many ways.” He also had His words written down so that all people could know His thoughts, His commands, His loving directives.
And then, in the most profound gesture of communication in history, God sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. During His ministry, thousands of people spoke directly, face-to-face, with God! And those of us who weren’t alive then are still invited to speak with God anytime we need to (Heb. 4:15–16; 1 John 5:14–15).
God is waiting to communicate with you—right now. Remember, He is there, and He is not silent.
