One morning, as the sun began to peek through the windows, I casually glanced at my calendar. The date on the calendar reminded me that the next presidential election was just days away. It’s hard to forget with all the constant coverage on the local news stations.

I began to think about the upcoming election and how it differed from the last presidential election season. I noted one huge difference.

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In 2020, there was a significant emphasis on prophetic messages and divine revelations regarding the upcoming election. Many individuals claiming to have received insights from God were vocal in sharing their predictions. However, this year’s election has unfolded in a notably different manner. It is striking that there seems to be a lack of prophetic voices making predictions about the election’s outcome.

It seems many are silent.

I recall another time in biblical history when there was silence. This silence lasted for 400 years.

The “400 Years of Silence” is the term theologians use to describe the period between the Book of Malachi and the beginning of the New Testament and its Gospels. During this time, there was a lack of prophetic words from the Lord. Before that period, God had communicated with His people in various ways, such as walking with Adam in the Garden of Eden and speaking directly to Abraham. He also communicated with Moses through a burning bush. However, historical records indicate that He did not speak for 400 years.

If you study this time, you will learn something insightful. Just because God was not speaking did not mean He had abandoned His people. No, quite the opposite. During that time, God was setting the stage for the redemption He had already promised. As the Bible declares, He was working all things for our good (Romans 8:28).

Between the final words of the Book of Malachi and the opening words of the New Testament, circumstances were being created for the arrival of our Savior, Jesus Christ, on earth. During this period, God was actively at work, orchestrating events to bring about the fulfillment of His divine plan for His people.

It was during this period of silence that the Pax Romana took place. It was roughly a 200-year-long period of Roman history, identified as a golden age of increased and sustained Roman imperialism, relative peace and order, prosperous stability, and regional expansion. A time of relative peace.

Also, during that time, roadways were put in place, and a reliable mail system was built, setting the stage for those who would become apostolic leaders to travel and send letters to those longing to hear the gospel. In addition, synagogues were being established all over, becoming the future ground for Christian gatherings.

All these things were taking place while God was seemingly silent.

Then, abruptly, the years of silence ended. He was picking up right where Malachi left off.

They ended with Zacharias, a faithful priest, and a visit from the angel Gabriel. “Your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son . . . He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to prepare a people for the Lord” (Luke 1:13-17).

During this period, when God seemed distant, He was working out His plan. Understanding what occurred during those 400 years may help us comprehend other times when it seems God is silent and aloof.

Have you ever experienced times in your life when it felt as if God were silent, elusive, and nowhere to be found? Was it at a time in your life when you needed to hear His voice the most? I know I have.

God will never leave us nor forsake us. (Deut 31:6)

This promise from God is a comforting truth that we can hold onto. He has assured us that He will always be by our side, never abandoning us. His faithfulness and reliability are unwavering, and His word can always be trusted. Even during moments when it seems like His presence is elusive, we can take solace in knowing that He is actively shaping every circumstance for our benefit.

What is our role, then? It’s to keep seeking God and His word, to keep growing spiritually, to persist, and to move forward in faith. Trust that He is a God of His word.

The 400 years of silence in biblical history, during which God did not communicate directly with His people, serves as a powerful reminder of God’s constant presence and activity, even in times when it may seem like He is distant. Despite the silence, God’s ultimate plan unfolded when He broke His silence, and the Word became flesh. This period of silence serves as a hopeful reminder that even when we feel like our prayers are unanswered and declarations seem unheard, there is a divine timing for everything. When God speaks again, the manifestation of our prayers and declarations over our lives, families, and nations will become evident. May we patiently wait for His timing and trust that His word will come to pass.

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Kim Potter is the author of Deeper Still, a 90-day devotional on a deeper relationship with God. She is also the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to thousands of people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, in Charisma Magazine, and on Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim’s message is one of hope. She speaks to the hearts of those who have grown discouraged or disappointed by the circumstances of life, to impart hope. To order her new book or receive her daily encouraging writings, visit her website at www.anewthingministries.com, or Books Archives – A New Thing Ministries. Photo credit: Jasper Boer on Unsplash.