God’s Silence is Not Absence, but Presence
-Biblical, Theological , and Practical Grounding
1. Biblical Examples
- 1 Kings 19: 12 - Elijah did not meet God in the win or earthquake, but in a gentle whisper.
God’s response can be hidden in the mystery of silence.
- Psalm 46:10 - “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Stillness and silence are invitation to encounter God’s presence.
2. Theological Insights
1) Negative Theology
- God is ultimately beyond words.
- Sometimes, silence itself is His speech - a form of wordless presence.
2) Samuel Terrien - The Elusive Presence
- The psalmist experiences God’s mysterious and elusive presence in silence.
- Silence is not God’s absence, but His hidden nearness.
The Suffering of God (Fretheim), The Elusive Presence (Terrien)
-> God’s silence reveals even His wounded, empathetic presence.
3) Counseling and Devotional Wisdom
- “God’s silence does not mean His absence.”
-> Silence, when received in faith, becomes a space of sacred encounter.
3. Personal Application
- When God feels silent : Don’t withdraw. Trust His hidden presence.
- When prayer feels dry : Keep praying. Silence can shape deep faith.
-When God feels distant : He hasn’t left - you are in His still embrace.
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