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REFLECTION

The phrase “tested to be like gold” is a metaphor for enduring trials and tribulations, which strengthen and purify one’s character and faith. Like gold that is refined by fire to remove impurities, a person’s faith is tested by struggles to prove its genuineness and worth. The outcome of this testing is a more resilient and precious faith that is more valuable than gold itself. 

Job had observed that in all his affliction, it was only his friends who were judging him, yet God, who was greater than his friends and knew that he was innocent and upright, was silent. Job was hopeful that God would intervene by vindicating Him, but God was silent. Job described God’s silence when he said, “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backwards, but I do not perceive him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.” (Job 23:8-9)

My dear friend in the Lord, what do you do or what is your response when God is silent in your afflictions or suffering? Some Christians, out of frustration, visit one prayer camp after another looking for God and hoping to hear him speak. Unfortunately, some Christians fall prey to charlatans and scavenging fake prophets who further complicate their problems in their desperation to find answers to their perilous situation. Some Christians become frustrated when burdened with affliction and allow themselves to be led by friends and family members to shrines for spiritual direction and protection, for which they are either lured into spiritual covenant with smaller deities or forced to perform certain undignified rituals and sacrifices.

Beloved in the Lord, when God is silent in our suffering or afflictions, it is a sign that we are being refined and our worth as pure gold is being tested. Job does not give up or seek solace elsewhere, even when God appeared to be silent in his situation. He kept on lamenting to God with the hope that God is listening, even though He is silent. Job did not go wayward or deny his faith because God appears to be silent in His affliction. Job’s spiritual worthiness, integrity and faith remained unshaken. It is for this reason confessed, “… God knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” (Job 23:10-12). In other words, Job is teaching us that when we remain focused on the commandment of God even in the face of suffering, we shall come out as gold. We shall come pure, righteous and blameless to the glory of God. Again, in the Garden of Gethsemane, when God appeared to be silent as Jesus was grieved with the agony He was about to experience on the cross, He said in Matthew 26:39 that “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Similarly, in Hannah’s situation, we are told, “But to Hannah, he (Hannah’s husband) gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore, Hannah wept and would not eat.” (1 Samuel 1:5-7) In 1 Samuel 1:10-11, we are told, “Hannah was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” Hannah’s story teaches us that when God was silent in Hannah’s barrenness and affliction, Hannah continued to lament in prayer in the house of God; she had faith and continued to do the will of God until God intervened and granted her heart’s desire. Will you also come out as gold when you are refined through suffering and challenges?

The key lesson we learn from the characters of Job, Hannah, Joseph and Jesus is that when God is silent in our affliction, it does not mean He is not listening to our prayer or not watching over us. He is refining us so that when we are tested, we shall be like gold. He is always in control of our affairs; therefore, we must continue to do His will and follow His Commandments regardless of our sufferings and pains. We are permitted to lament about our affliction in prayer, but let us not lose hope even as we lament in prayer. Joseph, after long years of suffering as a slave, came out like gold from the refinery. He was elevated from a slave to a high-ranking official in Egypt. He told his brothers when they came to him for forgiveness that “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear, I will provide for you and your little ones” (Genesis 50:19-29). Let us remain focused on His Word, do His will and be hopeful. In His own perfect and appointed time, He will vindicate us from our afflictions.

In summary, we have discovered that God may be silent or appear to be silent in our challenging moments, yet He is still in control of our lives. We are greatly admonished to remain steadfast, faithful and obedient to His Word even in times of agony or suffering. God’s divine purpose is for us to be spiritually refined through afflictions so that when we are tested, we shall come out like gold. Shalom.

PRAYER

ALMIGHTY GOD, STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH TO TRUST AND OBEY YOU EVEN WHEN IT APPEARS YOU ARE SILENT IN OUR AFFLICTIONS AND CHALLENGES. AMEN