Joab's Fire Chapter 22 Discussion Question

Are there times when God is silent?

Read Job 31:35.

"Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book."

When Job suffered, he defended himself with an accounting of his good works (Job 29-30).

Job 29:12 "Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him."

Doesn't that sound like many today? "Oh, I've done so much for the poor and for the environment."

Job 29:14 "I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem."

Doesn't that sound like someone who says, "I go to church each Sunday and teach my kids right from wrong. I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I don't cheat my neighbor."

And yet, Job agonized over not receiving an answer from God.

What should our response be when God seems silent?

• Wait
• Be still and know God
• Continue to walk in obedience
• Continue to pray
• Continue to search God's Word
• Above all BE PATIENT

Joab's desire for God to answer him raised questions in Dixon's mind. What were these questions?

• Why wouldn't God answer a righteous man like Joab?
• Dixon even questioned Joab's integrity - did he start the fire?
• Who can truly know God?

People watch us and how we respond to hardships. Trials reveal the depths of our faith. What we do under those circumstances will have an effect on those around us.

What is your trial saying about your faith, and what is your reaction to your hardship saying about God to those around you?

Read Hosea 6:6

"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."

How can we show mercy when we are the ones going through the trial?

• By how we respond to people - those who criticize us, or judge us, or despitefully use us, or who might irritate us when we are hurting.
• By looking past ourselves to their needs. Even when we are going through a trial, if we can set aside our hurts for a moment and look at how another might be hurting, we can extend to them the mercy God is showing us at that time. And, often when we do this, it helps give us some relief.

How can we show the knowledge of God during our trial?

1. First, stay in God's Word
2. Remain faithful in prayer
3. Let the peace of God prevail in you - stop thinking negative, rest in the Lord, trusting Him to take you through the fire.
4. Our answers to people's questions - We don't have to be holier than they. It is all right to admit that we are hurting, but through our words, we can show them where our trust lies.

Consider Psalm 3. This was written when David fled from Absalom his son. Note, that David did not react to Absalom, or to any of his enemies, by seeking vengeance. He was a great example of trusting God by turning the other cheek, of being willing to endure hardship for the well-being of even his enemies.

"Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. Selah."

David admits he's got a problem. He admits that he is suffering at the hand of those that hate him.

"But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."

David acknowledges that God is his shield. Does that mean God is stopping the fiery darts? No. Does it mean that David will not suffer an attack from the enemy? No. It means that David is secure behind God. Whatever the onslaught is, David can trust God to protect him. I think it is important to note that we, as humans, tend to look at the physical aspect of life. What we see or touch or smell or hear. We forget, often, that there is another dimension of greater magnitude than our physical senses can discern. The spiritual dimension.

Paul talks of it in Romans 8:38-39.

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

And again in Ephesians 6:12.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Our flesh happens to be a battle ground. We might feel physical pain. We might be tempted in our flesh. However, the victory is not found in the flesh. Victory is found in faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our redemption from our sins.

So, yes, we suffer. But because of our faith in Jesus Christ, we are shielded. The enemy may attack our flesh. He may tempt us. But he can never defeat us, because Christ's shed blood covers us, like a shield.

Ephesians 6:16 "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."

Note in this verse that God says "the fiery darts of the wicked." That includes people who are wicked, not just Satan, not just the devils or rulers of darkness.

Let's go back to Psalm 3:3.

"But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."

David ran from his son. He ran from Saul. He, a valiant warrior, killer of Goliath and of the thousands. Why? Because he considered God his glory.

Yes, in the flesh, David was probably a skillful fighter. But he didn't seek his own glory. He sought God's. He didn't take things into his own hands. He waited for God. In all honesty, I struggle with this. I have a tendency to run ahead of God. Waiting on Him is not my strong point. But I know that when I do, the end results blow me away. To God be all glory, honor, and praise.

In conclusion:

Waiting on the Lord is key to revealing our faith. Yes, people may question why we are not taking action. Yes, they may lay blame. Yes, they may even desert you. But God won't. Our answer is not in this world. Our answer is not in this dimension. Our lives are vapors. We are blind to what goes on beyond our limited vision. Only when we trust God can we navigate through this physical life, through the enemy's realm.

Was there a time in your life where God seemed silent, but when you look back, you can see where He was working or perhaps the lesson He wanted you to learn?