God Isn’t Listening

Sermon Notes

Don't confuse God’s SILENCE with God’s ABSENCE.

[Psalm 13:1-3] O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? [2] How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? [3] Turn and answer me, O LORD my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

God HEARS you even when you don’t HEAR Him.

[Daniel 10:12-13] Then he said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. [13] But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.

God does some of His holiest work in the QUIET.

[Matthew 27:46] At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, ["Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?"] which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

Jesus entered into the silence so that you could be sure God HEARS YOU.

[Psalm 22:24] For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.

Prayer isn’t a VENDING machine, it’s a VINE.

God doesn’t need fancy WORDS, He wants honest HEARTS.

[Isaiah 65:24] I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

God may seem silent, but He's never FAR AWAY.