When I Don’t Hear God’s Voice

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!

< Older Post

Newer Post >

MORE MEDIA

It all Starts with What You See

By Julian Adams • June 19, 2025

If you want to grow in the prophetic, it doesn’t begin with what you say. It begins with what you see. The prophetic is rooted in perception. Not just natural insight, but spiritual awareness—what Scripture calls “the eyes of your heart.” Paul prayed that the church in Ephesus would have their hearts enlightened so they could truly see what God was doing. “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you…” (Ephesians 1:18) God isn’t distant or withholding. But if we’re going to hear Him clearly, we have to see differently. We need Heaven’s perspective. And that means learning to quiet the noise, tune into His voice, and let Him train our inner vision. You don’t need to wait for a dramatic vision or audible voice. Often, God speaks through a nudge. A mental picture. A scripture that lingers. A sense of burden or joy that feels holy. These are the first signs that your spiritual eyesight is awakening. But it takes time. It takes attention. It takes trust. Just like physical muscles grow with use, your spiritual senses grow as you spend time with Him—not just talking, but listening. Not just asking for answers, but asking for His perspective. You were never meant to live according to what the world says is true. You were meant to live by every word that flows from the mouth of God. A Prayer for This Week: “Lord, open the eyes of my heart. Teach me to see what You see—not just in others, but in myself, in my circumstances, in the world around me. Give me clarity and confidence to trust Your perspective more than my own. Amen.” This week, pay attention to what you notice. The way you see is often the way He speaks.

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.