When I Don’t Hear God’s Voice

Julian Adams • August 21, 2019

Things to Remember When "God's not Speaking"


There have been moments in my journey with God where it seems as if He has gone silent on me. No clarity. No direction. No answers.


Just silence.


In the past, those moments would have frustrated and angered me, but as I have received revelation on the character of God, I have realised that the best place for me in discovering what he is saying is in rest, not in striving.


In the old testament, Saul offers an unlawful sacrifice to God out of fear. “Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, ‘Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.’ And he offered the burnt offering.” ( 1 Samuel 13:8-9 )


Under the old covenant, the voice of God is represented through the prophet. It was customary to wait until the ‘word of the Lord’ came before the battle began, so as to hear heaven’s strategy. Saul had waited 7 days and was beginning to be overcome by fear and anxiety. The result is he works for what he is not supposed to in order to gain what is meant to be a gift.


It is often the case that in the absence of God’s voice we work for what He wants to give us in grace . Saul’s impatience has taught me a lot about those moments, and how to deal with them.


Jesus is the final word

Firstly, while Saul was offering an unlawful sacrifice, God’s voice in the person of Samuel was on its way. Often God is working in unseen ways while we are fretting about current circumstances. I find the enemy uses these times effectively to cast shadows on the nature and character of God. It ’s the same trick he played on Adam and Eve. He got them to questions God’s goodness concerning them. He got them to think that God was withholding something good. I am learning not to allow my unanswered questions about my circumstances overwhelm the plain revelation of God’s goodness in the revelation of Jesus. He is the final word on all things pertaining to my life. He is the goodness of God revealed to me in his life lived, his death, his resurrection and ascension to the highest place.


If I need a word from God, Jesus is it!


He is for us, not against us

Secondly, God is hiding himself for me, not from me. Saul lived with a rejection complex. When you study the life of Saul it is continually punctuated by his constant sense of unworthiness. When you live with rejection as your filter, circumstances look like a set up for your failure and downfall. It naturally follows then that God is working against you, not for you. Ultimately Saul’s fear was not the enemy but he feared that he did not have God’s approval. How he thought of himself ultimately reflected how he thought about God. When I understand that God’s silence is not disapproval it produces patience in me to wait for a display of his goodness.


Even in the silence, we can still receive from God

Thirdly, I am learning to celebrate who God is in the midst of the silence. The prophet Habakkuk prophesies that in the midst of no fruitful fig trees and no vines that are bursting with grapes, “…yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” God’s goodness and kindness to me are not based on what I see, but on who He is. I find that worshipping and reminding myself of his nature unlocks faith in the ‘quiet times’. Often using scripture to do this is the way that God speaks to me. I have found that in the times of what feels like silence, God most often shouts at me through his written word. His revealed word in the life of Jesus is the most comforting to me when I am looking for answers about life. He might not answer my circumstantial questions, but he always answers my heart cry.


It’s best to live un-offendable

Lastly, I have found that living an un-offended life produces many blessings. John the baptizer is stuck in prison. Jesus tells John’s disciple to communicate that his circumstances will not change and ends his discourse by simply stating ‘blessed is the one who is not offended by me’ ( Luke 7:18-23 ). Ouch! That seems harsh. The truth is in this context Jesus reminds John of the messianic promise that He would ultimately be about establishing a new government of peace. This government has come but is not fully here yet. Jesus was in effect saying do not stumble over what you do not yet see because of me. In the end, you will be blessed (fortunate, happy and enjoying grace) by not living offended with Jesus. 


In the words of that old saying ‘trust and obey for there is no other way’.


Looking to grow in hearing God's voice? Sign up for my FREE eCourse!

Prophetic Perspectives for 2025

March 3, 2025
In this live session, Sean Smith and Julian Adams share their prophetic perspectives on 2025, offering honest reflections on what they sense God is doing across the earth. With hope and expectancy, they discuss the spiritual landscape ahead and how we can prepare for what’s to come.

Your Story Matters: Here's Why

By Julian Adams • January 3, 2025
We are living in a world of dramatic change. The relentless pace of development often leaves us breathless and exhausted. The demand for innovative ways of communicating, inventing, and staying ahead of cultural trends can feel daunting and demoralizing. It can push us into a space where we find ourselves trying to copy rather than be authentic, to imitate rather than create. This pressure can lead us to believe that we need to be more creative, and that our individual stories do not matter. But nothing could be further from the truth. Your story, no matter how small, matters and is powerful. One of the remarkable aspects of ancient manuscripts, like the Bible, is that they tell the stories of individuals whose lives may seem small and insignificant. Yet, God chose to make their lives a memorial of what He could do with a life that the world deems insignificant. The incredible power of the gospel is that it changes lives one at a time. God is as interested in the individual story as He is in redeeming the cosmos. The aim of the gospel is not just dealing with personal sin; it is about restoring individuals to a relationship with a kind Father. In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis beautifully said, "The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God." Justification addresses our standing before God, but our adoption invites us into a relationship with the Father. It allows us to partake of who He is and to live in a place of deep joy from who He is. Romans 3:23 reminds us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Many of us forget that the work of salvation has turned this verse around. Through Jesus, we have been restored to the glory of God. One description of the word "glory" refers to the divine quality, the unspoken manifestation of God, and splendor. It is the revelation of God's intrinsic worth and beauty. Do you see that? We have been restored to His divine quality, splendor, and beauty. In a world where it can be easy to feel like just another face in the crowd, remember that your story is significant. Your experiences, your journey, and your voice matter. Embrace the unique narrative God has given you and let it shine. You are not just a spectator; you are a vital participant in God's grand story. Your authenticity, creativity, and individuality are valuable. As you navigate the rapid changes of our world, hold on to the truth that your story has power and purpose. God sees you, knows you, and has a plan for your life that is uniquely yours. Let us celebrate the beauty and significance of each individual story, knowing that together, we contribute to a tapestry of divine splendor and glory.

Pursuing Wholeness: My Journey from Rejection to Healing

By Julian Adams • July 17, 2024
Rejection is a powerful force that can shape the trajectory of our lives, often in ways we don't fully realize until much later. For me, this journey began in childhood. I was born with a cleft palate, which affected my ability to speak, and coupled with my passionate devotion to Jesus, I faced daily ridicule and rejection throughout my school years. My speech and my fervent faith made me a target, and I found myself isolated and misunderstood. Despite the rejection, something beautiful began to grow within me: a deep and abiding friendship with Jesus. Through profound encounters with the Lord, I began to walk in the prophetic. This newfound gift led me to public ministry, where I started releasing prophetic words. However, beneath the surface, I was carrying an immense amount of pain that I hadn't dealt with. This pain manifested as a lifestyle of performance, driven by the need for acceptance and validation. Though I was a new creation in Christ, I was living as if I were still bound by my old wounds. In Matthew 23:27-28 (MSG), Jesus describes the Pharisees as "manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it's all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you're saints, but beneath the skin, you're total frauds." These words struck a chord with me because I realized I was living like a professional Pharisee. Outwardly, I appeared to have it all together, but inside, I was disconnected from the healing process that God wanted to take me through. This disconnect had a significant impact on my prophetic ministry. My words, especially those concerning sin, were often harsh and unkind, reflecting my damaged perspective of myself and the world. It wasn't until I began to address my heart issues that my approach to the prophetic truly changed. God started speaking to me about the connection between my gift, my performance, and my worth. Through this process, He took me back to moments of pain and difficulty from my childhood and even into my adult life. In one profound moment, God said to me, "Son, I want you to grow up and be a child." This statement might seem paradoxical, but it revealed a crucial truth: the posture of the kingdom is one of childlike fascination and trust. My journey into sonship transformed how I viewed the prophetic and how I ministered to others. No longer driven by judgment and legalism, I began to approach people with love, kindness, and the heart of the Father. Understanding my identity as a beloved child of God allowed me to see others through His eyes. This shift not only brought healing to my heart but also enabled me to minister more effectively and compassionately. Rejection and pain had shaped my early years, but God's love and healing power brought me to a place of wholeness. This journey has taught me that dealing with our heart issues is essential for authentic and impactful ministry. As we pursue wholeness, we open ourselves to deeper intimacy with God and greater effectiveness in serving His people. If you find yourself struggling with similar issues of rejection, pain, or performance, I encourage you to invite God into those wounded places. Allow Him to heal and transform you, just as He did for me. Embrace the posture of childlike wonder and trust, knowing that you are deeply loved and valued by your Heavenly Father. In this place of wholeness, you will find the freedom to live and minister authentically, reflecting the heart of God to a world in need.
More Posts