Trusting God Through Silence and Suffering
Summary
There are moments in life when it feels like no one sees our pain, no one hears our cries, and even God seems silent. Yet, the truth is that our Heavenly Father is always watching over us—on the mountaintop and in the stormy sea. The story of Moses in Exodus 3 reminds us that God is intimately aware of our afflictions, our suffering, and our prayers. Even when it seems like nothing is changing, God is not absent; He is working behind the scenes, preparing deliverance and transformation for His people.
God’s timing is not our timing. There are seasons of blessing and seasons of suffering, but in both, God remains the same. The Israelites experienced both abundance and oppression in Egypt, but God saw their pain, heard their cries, and knew their suffering. He promised not only to bring them out of bondage but also to bring them into a land of promise—a place of new beginnings and fulfillment. Sometimes, we remain stuck because we are still holding on to things God wants to bring us out of, but His desire is always to bring us up and in, not just out.
God’s call does not depend on our qualifications or our past mistakes. Moses doubted himself, listing his flaws and failures, but God assured him, “I will be with you.” God chooses those who will trust Him, not those who trust in themselves. Our weaknesses become the very place where God’s strength is revealed. When we feel unworthy or incapable, God says, “You’re just the person I want,” because He perfects, pours into, and uses those who surrender to Him.
Even in the silence, God is present. His silence is not abandonment but preparation. The pain and waiting are not meant to break us but to strengthen us for the next season. If we trust Him through the silence and the suffering, we will see Him move in ways that exceed our expectations. God hears, sees, and knows—and He will come down to deliver, to heal, and to restore.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Silence Is Not His Absence
There are times when God seems silent, and our prayers feel unanswered. Yet, His silence is not a sign of abandonment but a sign that He is working on our behalf in ways we cannot see. Trusting God in the silence requires us to remember His past faithfulness and believe that breakthrough is on the way, even when we cannot hear His voice. [01:07:33]
- Deliverance Is Both “Out” and “In”
God’s deliverance is not just about bringing us out of difficult situations but also about bringing us into new places of blessing and purpose. Sometimes, we miss out on what God has for us because we are still entangled in what He wants to deliver us from. True deliverance means letting go of the old so we can fully embrace the new that God has prepared. [01:23:41]
- God Sees, Hears, and Knows
God is intimately aware of every detail of our suffering. He sees our afflictions, hears our cries, and knows our pain—even when nothing seems to change. This deep awareness is not passive; it moves God to act on our behalf, assuring us that we are never alone in our struggles. [01:17:19]
- God Uses the Unqualified
Moses felt unworthy and unqualified because of his past and his limitations, but God called him anyway. God does not require perfection or credentials; He desires a willing heart that trusts Him. Our flaws and failures do not disqualify us from being used by God—in fact, they are often the very things God uses to display His power and grace. [01:31:45]
- Pain Prepares Us for Purpose
The pain and challenges we endure are not meant to destroy us but to prepare us for what God has next. If we avoid or shortcut the process, we may miss the strength and growth needed for the next season. Trusting God through the pain allows Him to shape us for greater things and to bring us into the fullness of His promises. [01:47:23]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[57:47] - Assurance of God’s Watchful Care
[58:56] - Greeting and Scripture Introduction
[01:00:29] - Reading Exodus 3:7-12
[01:03:12] - Series Introduction: I Trust in God
[01:06:32] - When God Seems Silent
[01:10:57] - God Never Gives Up on You
[01:13:36] - God Sees, Hears, and Knows
[01:17:19] - God Knows Your Suffering
[01:23:41] - Deliverance: Out and In
[01:27:00] - The Incomparable Promise
[01:30:12] - Moses’ Doubt and God’s Assurance
[01:31:45] - God Uses the Unqualified
[01:35:04] - Responding to God’s Call
[01:36:38] - Prayer for the Struggling
[01:42:20] - Invitation and Altar Call
[01:47:23] - Pain as Preparation
[01:51:23] - Trusting God in Uncertainty
[01:52:35] - Announcements and Community Life
[01:57:50] - Offering and Giving
[02:02:52] - Benediction and Closing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: God Sees, Hears, and Delivers
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### Bible Reading
Exodus 3:7-12 (ESV)
> Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Exodus 3:7-8, what three things does God say He has done regarding the Israelites’ suffering in Egypt?
2. What does God promise to do for the Israelites after bringing them out of Egypt?
3. How does Moses respond when God calls him to go to Pharaoh, and what is God’s answer to Moses’ doubts?
4. In the sermon, what does the pastor say about God’s silence and what it means for us? [[01:07:33]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that God says, “I have seen… I have heard… I know…” about the Israelites’ suffering? How might this change the way someone views their own pain? [[01:17:19]]
2. The sermon says God’s silence is not abandonment but preparation. What might God be preparing in seasons when He seems silent? [[01:07:33]]
3. The pastor points out that God’s deliverance is not just about bringing us out, but also bringing us in. What does it mean to be brought “in” to something new by God? [[01:23:41]]
4. Moses felt unqualified because of his past and his flaws. Why do you think God chooses people who feel unworthy or unqualified? [[01:31:45]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says God’s silence is not His absence, but sometimes it feels like God isn’t listening. Can you share a time when you felt God was silent? How did you respond, and what helped you keep trusting? [[01:07:33]]
2. Are there things in your life that you feel God is trying to bring you out of, but you’re still holding on to? What would it look like to let go so God can bring you “in” to something new? [[01:23:41]]
3. The pastor said, “God uses the unqualified.” Have you ever felt unqualified or unworthy to do something God was calling you to do? What happened, and how did you see God work through your weakness? [[01:31:45]]
4. When you look back at hard seasons in your life, can you see ways that pain prepared you for something greater? How might your current struggles be preparing you for what’s next? [[01:47:23]]
5. The Israelites sometimes wanted to go back to Egypt because it was familiar, even though it was bondage. Are there “old ways” or “old places” in your life that you’re tempted to return to? How can you resist that pull and trust God for new beginnings? [[01:23:41]]
6. The sermon reminds us that God sees, hears, and knows our suffering. How can you remind yourself of this truth when you feel alone or overlooked? Is there a practical step you can take this week to remember God’s care? [[01:17:19]]
7. Moses made excuses about why he couldn’t answer God’s call. What excuses do you find yourself making when God asks you to step out in faith? What would it look like to trust God’s promise, “I will be with you”? [[01:31:45]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for one another, especially for those who feel stuck, unheard, or unqualified. Ask God to help each person trust Him in the silence, let go of the old, and step into the new things He has prepared.
Devotional
Day 1: God Sees, Hears, and Knows Our Suffering
Even when it feels like no one else notices, God sees every affliction, hears every cry, and knows every pain His children endure. He is not distant or indifferent; His awareness is intimate and personal, and He promises to respond in His perfect timing. When you feel unseen or unheard, remember that God is attentive to your situation and is already working on your behalf, even in the silence. [01:17:19]
Exodus 3:7-12 (ESV)
Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
Reflection: When was the last time you felt unseen or unheard in your pain? How can you remind yourself today that God sees, hears, and knows your suffering intimately?
Day 2: God Delivers and Brings Us Into New Blessings
God not only brings us out of bondage and suffering, but He also brings us into a place of promise and abundance. The deliverance God provides is not just about escape from hardship, but about entering into the fullness of what He has prepared for us. Sometimes, we miss out on new blessings because we are still holding on to old situations, but God’s desire is to bring us out so He can bring us in. [01:23:41]
Exodus 3:8 (ESV)
And I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
Reflection: Is there something God is calling you to leave behind so He can bring you into a new season of blessing? What step can you take today to let go and trust Him for what’s next?
Day 3: God Uses Imperfect People for His Purposes
God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called. He knows every flaw, every failure, and every insecurity, yet He still chooses to use us for His glory. Like Moses, you may feel unworthy or ill-equipped, but God’s power is made perfect in your weakness, and He desires your trust and obedience more than your credentials. [01:31:45]
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV)
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
Reflection: What excuse or insecurity has kept you from saying “yes” to God’s call? How can you surrender that to Him and trust that He wants to use you just as you are?
Day 4: Trusting God in the Silence
God’s silence is not a sign of His absence or abandonment; it is often a sign that He is working behind the scenes for your good. In those moments when prayers seem unanswered and God feels distant, faith calls you to trust that He is orchestrating your breakthrough and preparing you for what’s next. Silence is not the end of the story—it is the prelude to God’s move. [01:07:33]
Isaiah 64:4 (ESV)
From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.
Reflection: How do you typically respond when God seems silent? What can you do today to cultivate trust and patience in the waiting?
Day 5: Suffering Prepares Us for the Next Season
The pain and trials you endure are not meant to break you, but to strengthen and prepare you for the blessings and responsibilities of the next season. God uses suffering as a refining process, shaping your character and deepening your faith so that you are ready for what He has in store. If you skip the process, you may miss the preparation needed for your future. [01:47:23]
Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Reflection: What current struggle might God be using to prepare you for something greater? How can you embrace this season as part of His loving preparation for your future?
Quotes
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