Welcome to the VisionCast for the Prophetic:

When God Seems Silent

by James W. Goll
Vision Cast January 2007
1-877-200-1604 | www.jamesgoll.com

I. HE DID NOT ANSWER WITH A WORD

“Wet seasons” are times of blessing, times of growth and expansion, of fruitfulness and promotion. “Dry seasons” are seasons of pruning and preparation in anticipation of the next wet season. Dry seasons are the times of the cross, and wet seasons are the times of resurrection life. In order to build healthy, balanced Christian lives we need both.

A. Personal Background

1. Youth Choir Loft Experience:
I was a singer from a young age, often positioned in the loft, patiently looking down on the congregation, as the pianist, organist, and pastor on the platform would perform opening rituals. Many times I was the one who began the service. Standing in the darkened loft alone with no instrument, I would sing, “The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silent before Him.” And then the service would proceed. I sang that Sunday after Sunday until my voice began to change. I still remember the Sunday I quit. I sang high and then suddenly low in one phrase. I was so embarrassed that I did not come down from the balcony, but stayed up in the loft. That Sunday I received one of my first lessons in silence.

2. No Words for Me –
    Where Was Guidance When?
When I entered into a traveling ministry years later, I traveled all over North America and visited several other countries, releasing prophetic words to people everywhere I went. I spoke thousands of prophetic words of encouragement to individuals, congregations, leaders, cities, and nations. Yet during all those years of releasing public prophetic words to others, I rarely, if ever, received a public prophetic word myself. It was especially painful that all my ministerial buddies were getting three and four prophetic words, public affirmations, direction, etc. – and I was not. I did not understand it. God seemed silent.

3. Times of the Dark Night of the Soul
God does speak. He has spoken to us many times in the past, and He will continue to speak to us in the future. But many times as a family it has seemed as though God was silent. Where was His miracle work? Where was His hedge of protection? Where was the God of supernatural encounters? Where was God when I needed Him? We have experienced days, weeks, yes months when God “seemed” silent. The word “seemed” is very important here. God may seem silent at times, but He is always active. God is always at work. Yet He does not always tell us what He is doing at the time. All we can do is recall His past faithfulness in speaking to us and trust that He will do so again according to His own timetable.

B. Matthew 15:21-24 –
     Lessons From a Desperate Mother

Jesus…withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.” But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

1. Jesus withdrew from Jerusalem to Tyre
    and Sidon.
2. A Canaanite woman came out to meet him.
3. She lifted a cry for “mercy” for her demonized     daughter.
4. Jesus did not answer her a word.
5. The disciples said, “Send her away –
    she’s obnoxious!”
6. Jesus said, “I came to the Lost House of Israel.”

II. HOW DO WE RESPOND?

A. Handling the Why Question

“A man can live with his existence if he has a ‘why’ for his existence.”

You can make it through almost anything if you know why. The day came when even Jesus Himself had a dry season. Throughout eternity, the Son of God had enjoyed unbroken fellowship with His Father. Never had Jesus known the silence of His Father—until He went to the cross. As all the sin of the human race from every generation came crashing down on Jesus’ shoulders at Calvary, He felt His Father turn His face away. In anguish He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46b). As far as we know from Scripture, Jesus never received an answer. The One who allows us to experience dry seasons knows Himself exactly how it feels to go through such a time. I draw comfort and encouragement from this. Jesus knows how we feel when God seems silent, and He can help us get through it.

B. Jesus Was Given Fully to the Issue of “Why”

“Why have You forsaken Me?” are the words of Jesus on the cross.

III. HANDLING THE
      “HOW & WHEN” QUESTIONS

A. John 5:1-9 –
     Lessons from the Pool of Bethsaida

After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day.

1. The man was sick for 38 years.
2. He was lying by the pool – waiting…
3. The first one in the waters after they were stirred      is healed.
4. Multitudes in desperation are there!
5. The man asked, “How do I get in? When will the      angel come?”
6. Jesus came and asked a question, “Do you want     to get well?”
7. The man’s response comes from the fatigue
    factor of delay – “I have no one to help me
    into the pool.”

B. When Others Got In and Were Healed…

1. When others were healed, did he (you) rejoice?
2. What did that do to your faith?
3. He didn’t get himself there. He couldn’t get     himself out. He couldn’t get into the pool.

C. When the Waters are Stirred
     and Nothing Happens

1. Look past the outward…Look into the heart.
2. Why are you (they) still here?
3. The unshakable kingdom is being established.

D. When the Enemy Comes…

1. “You don’t deserve revelation!”
2. “God doesn’t want to endorse you!”
3. “Does God know where I live?”
4. “Forget you guys! Hang it up!”

IV. PERSPECTIVE IN THE MIDST
      OF THE VALLEY

A. Why Isn’t God Speaking?
     Why Is There a Withholding of Revelation?

Years ago in Kansas City, I had the privilege of being exposed to realms of the prophetic that were absolutely profound. The top seers, statesmen, dreamers, prophetic teachers, and prophetic intercessors were all in a strange collegiality together. People came from all over the world to see who we were. I was younger and gifted and less secure in my identity in Christ. As I shared earlier, I did not get the confirmation that I thought I deserved and needed. I began asking the “why,” “how,” and “when” questions. From my perspective, compared to all those I was walking with at that time, God seemed silent. As I searched out these questions, I realized the following:

1. I was relying too much on an external witness.
2. It was not my “Kairos” moment yet. Strategic     timing had not yet come for my individual life.
3. My expectations were misplaced, too high, or off     base.
4. I was chasing for words from men and not the     Word itself. Human words fail, but God’s Word      never fails.
5. There were spiritual warfare attacks – deaf and      dumb spirits hindering mine and others’ ability to      hear, speak, release, and receive.

B. Responses to Dry Seasons

Frustrated over the whole business, I remember saying, “Lord, I don’t need to play this game any more. You are my source!” Did I still care? Yes. Did I still have needs? Yes. But I was finished with chasing men for words. And that is when things began to change.

1. Stick with what we already know – What was     the last thing the Lord said?
2. You might be in a test – What do you believe?
3. Don’t doubt in darkness what you have seen or     heard in times of light.
4. Don’t compare yourself to others!
5. Be childlike…don’t be overly complicated!
6. Don’t expect everything to be so dramatic! Don’t     be a prophetic junky!
7. How about the person sitting next to you?
8. Walk by faith – not by sight.
9. Learn the lessons of guidance.

V. GOD’S PURPOSES IN TIMES OF SILENCE

A. Matthew 15:25-28 –
     How to Respond When Offended!

But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.

1. Bow low. Worship.
2. Receive a revelation of dependency – “Lord,     have mercy on me!”
3. Keep your heart clean – more opportunities for     offenses will come!
4. God offends the mind to reveal the heart.
5. Be tenacious! Do not let go.
6. Receive your inheritance!
7. Rejoice and know your victory is another     person’s test.

B. God Is on the Other Side!

Your dry season is God’s way of building character and preparing you for bigger and greater things. He has promised that He will never leave you or forsake you. When God seems silent, believe that He guides you even from His silence.

1. Believe He guides:
    - He has guided me in the past!
    - He is guiding me now!
    - He will guide me in the future!
2. Be sensitive to others. Create within yourself a     capacity for compassion.
3. God is more than a jukebox machine ready to     play your favorite tune.
4. Learn how to hear God for yourself.
5. Trust Me! You have a Father!
6. Identify with Jesus on the cross.
7. Silence is an invitation to greater union
    with Christ!

From the Desk of James W. Goll

Having recently done the TBN show with Dr. Mark Chirrona and highlighting one of our newest book Dream Language, I thought it would be good to give you another look at some complimentary material – contained in the Dream Language book and Study Guide – on When God Seems Silent. I also felt that this message is so important for people to get – that I decided to make it a special stand alone CD. I hope these wisdom nuggets help you in your revelatory walk with the Lord.

I want to say THANK YOU! for your prayers for the Secret Place Gathering this past week.  It was our highest numbers of registered people with over 700 day time people and the house full at night time. It all came off so smoothly!  Thank the Lord!

The content of Joseph Garlington, Tommy Tenney, Lou Engle and Team was outrageous for sure.  Many felt it was the best conference they had ever attended period - not just an EN event!

The worship with Lindell Cooley, Chris DuPré, Julie True, Alberto and Kimberly Rivera and Rob Still was diverse and so powerful! The arts with Michael and Mary Cadle and Team were amazing! It was truly awesome!

The 40 Days of Extreme Praise made a huge difference; thank you to who partnered with us!

When in the area, come and visit our God Encounters School of the Spirit normally held on the 1st and 3rd Friday nights of the month. My friend Chris Poole and I with our EN Team share the leadership for these gatherings and they are growing in their effectiveness and impact. Watch the web site for the dates and location. We are also happy to announce that we will be hosting weekend Intensives in the Greater Nashville, TN area this spring. On April 20th & 21st, will we will host our next Prophetic Activation Intensive and then on May 4th & 5th, we will host our first Prophetic Intercession Intensive. Watch our web site and these Vision Cast e-mail communiqués for more details!

Blessings My Dear Friends!

Dr. James W. Goll

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