«The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3: 1 7).
In his book Acts of Love, pastor David Canther tells the story of Donny Gates, a man who became paraplegic at thirty-one as a result of a work accident. To remedy his spine fractures, he had to undergo multiple surgical procedures and received a trenchant prognosis: his spinal cord has been broken so he would never feel the lower part of his body, and he would remain confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He spent nine years immobile, until he discovered the biblical promises on health. Do you think God has the power to restore a paraplegic person? Do you think He can heal him today? Shortly after meditating on the Word of God, Donny had the conviction that it was God’s will to restore his health. He only had to wait a moment: would it be immediately? Would it be gradually? Or would it be on the day of Christ’s return in the clouds of heaven? The more he clung to His promises, the more his faith increased. He already imagined himself walking, running and serving the Lord on his feet! One day, he recovered sensibility in his toes. After a few days, he also felt his legs. Then one unforgettable day, he was able walk again! Praise God!
Now, think about all the people who suffer and claimed healing from God but still did not recover. Perhaps they lack faith or turned away from God. Why does the Lord remain silent when faced with suffering? Certainly, there are situations when God keeps silent. Job had sores on his skin which was covered with dust and worms when he cried out to God without receiving any answer (Job 7:5). Habakkuk was in great distress when he protested against God for his silence (Hab. 1:13). Jesus was bleeding on the cross when His Father was extremely silent (Matt. 27:46). Yet, we can become stronger when we recall that God was with them even in the midst of their pain.
«The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save,» says today’s verse. Acknowledging that God is at our side despite the difficulties brings comfort to the heart. The afflicted soul can find reassurance if it remembers that God sup orts those who are on their «bed of illness,» and even «sustains him on his sickbed» Ps. 41:3).
If you feel that God remains silent before your problem, patiently wait for the moment of recovery. You can still have faith in the midst of trials. Remember that when God is quiet, He is silent out of love.