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Introduction:

In week 3 of our series, we'll talk about "The Faith to Wait in God's Silence."

This means having faith when it seems like God isn't answering us.

We're going to learn from the stories of Job and Jonah in the Bible.

Scripture Reading: Let's read some parts from the books of Job and Jonah in the Bible.

Jonah 1:17 (NIV)

Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 2 (NIV)

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said:

“In my distress I called to the Lord,

and he answered me.

From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,

and you listened to my cry.

You hurled me into the depths,

into the very heart of the seas,

and the currents swirled about me;

all your waves and breakers

swept over me.

I said, ‘I have been banished

from your sight;

yet I will look again

toward your holy temple.’

The engulfing waters threatened me,

the deep surrounded me;

seaweed was wrapped around my head.

To the roots of the mountains I sank down;

the earth beneath barred me in forever.

But you, Lord my God,

brought my life up from the pit.

“When my life was ebbing away,

I remembered you, Lord,

and my prayer rose to you,

to your holy temple.

“Those who cling to worthless idols

turn away from God’s love for them.

But I, with shouts of grateful praise,

will sacrifice to you.

What I have vowed I will make good.

I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’ ”

And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Point 1: The Challenge of God's Silence

1. When God is silent, it's tough for our faith and patience.

Times of silence can test our faith and patience in various ways. For example, when we pray for guidance or answers, and it feels like God is not responding, we may begin to doubt our faith and question if God is truly listening.

Waiting for a breakthrough in a difficult situation, such as a health issue or a strained relationship, can also test our patience and faith as we grapple with the uncertainty of when or if relief will come.

Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord.

2. Job went through suffering, and it felt like God wasn't talking to him. We can relate to that.

Job's experience of suffering and divine silence resonates with us because it reflects the human condition.

Job faced immense suffering, including the loss of his family, health, and possessions, while God appeared silent.

it mirrors our own experiences of suffering and the feeling that God might not be answering our prayers during challenging times.

Job's story reminds us that even in the midst of suffering and silence, faith can endure.

Job 30:20 NIV

“I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me.

3. It's okay to admit that waiting in God's silence can be uncomfortable.

Waiting in God's apparent silence can be incredibly uncomfortable.

It can evoke feelings of anxiety, frustration, and even spiritual distress.

We may wonder why God seems distant or why He isn't providing clear guidance.

Acknowledging this discomfort is an essential step in coming to terms with our own limitations and recognizing the need for faith, trust, and patience during these periods of waiting.

Lamentations 3:25–26 NIV

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

"Faith is the art of holding on to things in spite of your changing moods and circumstances." - C.S. Lewis

Jonah's experience of waiting inside the belly of the fish is a vivid example of waiting in extreme circumstances.

Imagine the fear, uncertainty, and discomfort he must have felt during those days.

His story serves as a powerful reminder that even in the most challenging and seemingly impossible situations, there is hope and deliverance when we turn to God in prayer and trust in His mercy.

Point 2: Trusting God's Sovereignty

1. Just because God is quiet doesn't mean He's not with us or has left us.

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 

God's silence is often a test of our faith and patience.

It's a way for us to learn to trust in His plans even when we can't hear His voice.

Just because we can't feel His presence doesn't mean He's not there.

2. Think about how powerful and perfect God's timing is.

God send the big fish just in time

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

God's sovereignty means that He is in control of all things.

An example of His perfect timing can be seen in the story of Abraham and Sarah.

They had to wait many years for the promised son, Isaac. In God's perfect timing, Isaac was born, fulfilling His promise.

Another example is the birth of Jesus. It happened at just the right moment in history, fulfilling prophecies and bringing salvation to the world.

3. Even when we can't see it, trust that God is working behind the scenes.

Romans 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

The story of Joseph in the book of Genesis is a prime example of God working behind the scenes. Joseph endured hardship, including being sold into slavery and imprisoned.

Yet, in the end, he became a ruler in Egypt and played a crucial role in saving his family during a severe famine.

God's plan was in motion throughout Joseph's trials.

The story of Esther in the book of Esther shows how God worked behind the scenes to protect the Jewish people.

Esther, a young Jewish woman, became queen, and her position allowed her to save her people from a plot to destroy them. It's a remarkable example of God's providence.

"The sovereignty of God is the one impregnable rock to which the suffering human heart must cling." - A.W. Tozer

Point 3: Strengthening Our Faith in Waiting

1. Waiting for God can make our faith stronger and make us rely on Him more.

Isaiah 40:31 NIV

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Waiting on God can deepen our faith and reliance on Him by forcing us to lean on His strength and wisdom rather than our own.

In times of waiting, we often find ourselves in a position where we must trust Him more fully, and this trust strengthens our faith.

2. Connect with God through prayer and meditation when you're waiting.

Philippians 4:6–7 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Seeking God's presence through prayer and meditation during seasons of waiting is a powerful way to draw closer to Him.

When we actively engage with Him in prayer and meditation, we find peace and guidance in the midst of uncertainty.

3. Remember that God's plans are always good for us.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Remember that God's plans are always for our good, even when it doesn't seem like it at the moment.

This is evident in the story of Joseph, where his trials ultimately led to his family's salvation.

In our waiting, we should trust that God is working for our benefit as well.

God's delays are not God's denials." - Dr. Adrian Rogers

Conclusion:

In the midst of life's waiting rooms, when the echoes of God's silence resound around us, we're challenged to rise above our doubts and fears.

It's here, in the stillness, that our faith has the chance to shine brightly.

Just as Job's unwavering trust in God sustained him through unimaginable trials, we, too, can emerge from these seasons of waiting with a deeper faith and a closer bond with our Heavenly Father.

Reflective Question:

In your own life, can you recall a time when waiting on God led to a deeper connection with Him? How did that experience change your faith?

Closing Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, in times of waiting, when Your silence feels overwhelming, grant us the strength to hold onto our faith. Help us remember that You are always present, even when we can't hear or see You at work. May we trust in Your sovereignty, knowing that Your timing is perfect, and Your plans are for our good. Strengthen our faith, O Lord, and draw us nearer to You in the midst of uncertainty. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Call to Action:

This week, take a moment to meditate on a Bible verse that speaks to God's perfect timing or His sovereignty.

Consider sharing this verse with a friend or family member, and together, discuss the impact it can have on your faith during times of waiting. Let's grow in faith together and encourage one another as we embrace the lessons of waiting and trust in our Heavenly Father.

here are some Bible verses that speak to God's perfect timing and His sovereignty:

1. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV) "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

2. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."

3. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

4. Psalm 46:10 (NIV) "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'"

5. Romans 8:28 (NIV) "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

6. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

7. Daniel 2:20-21 (NIV) "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning."

8. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."

9. Psalm 37:23 (NIV) "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him."

10. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

These verses emphasize God's control over time and events and His unwavering commitment to work everything for the good of those who trust in Him. They are a source of comfort and reassurance during times of waiting and uncertainty.

TIO

Here are conversation starter, thinking, sharing, and doing questions for your small group based on the sermon:

Conversation Starters:

1. Have you ever felt like God was silent during a challenging time in your life? (Yes/No)

2. Do you find waiting difficult in your daily life, even outside of a spiritual context? (Yes/No)

3. Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt God's timing was perfect? (Yes/No)

Thinking Questions:

1. What do you think it means to "have faith in God's silence"?

2. How can we relate to the stories of Job and Jonah in our own lives when facing challenges and waiting for God's response?

3. Why do you think God sometimes seems silent or distant in our lives? What could be the purpose behind it?

Sharing Questions:

1. Can you share a personal experience when waiting on God strengthened your faith or reliance on Him?

2. How do you typically seek God's presence during times of waiting or difficulty, and has it been effective for you?

3. Have you ever felt that God's plans were different from your own plans? How did you deal with it?

Doing Questions:

1. This week, commit to spending at least 10 minutes each day in prayer and meditation, seeking God's presence. Share your experiences in the next meeting.

2. Choose a Bible verse or quote from the sermon that resonated with you and write it down. Reflect on it daily throughout the week.

3. Identify someone in your life who might be going through a challenging time and offer to pray for or with them, sharing the message of God's sovereignty and goodness.