When God Seems Silent

Read Exodus 1:1–14

A new year has arrived, and with it, a new journey through the book of Exodus. This ancient story is more than history; it is God’s story, and it is our story too. Exodus continues where Genesis leaves off. God made a promise to Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation and that through them, the world would be blessed. That promise was real, but fulfillment came with a long season of waiting.

Israel entered Egypt as a family of seventy. They would leave generations later as a nation of more than two million. Between promise and freedom stood preparation, pressure, and pain. Preparation is rarely comfortable. It stretches us. It tests us. It often feels silent. Yet Exodus reminds us that God is never absent during preparation. He is shaping a people, forming identity, and readying hearts for freedom.

Why do you think God often grows things slowly instead of instantly? How does this challenge our expectations of God’s timing?

God promised Abraham a nation, but fulfillment took generations. What emotions surface when God’s promises take longer than expected? Where might God be preparing you rather than delaying you?

As Israel multiplied, opposition rose. A new Pharaoh took power, one who did not know Joseph and did not honor God’s work. Fear turned into oppression, and blessing was met with brutality. Still, Scripture tells us that the more Israel was afflicted, the more they grew. This pattern shows up throughout the Bible. When God advances His purposes, resistance often follows. Pharaoh attacked babies. Herod would later do the same. Yet God preserved a deliverer each time. Moses was spared. Jesus was protected. God’s plans have never been fragile.

Why do you think resistance often increases when God is doing something significant? How have you seen pressure deepen your faith instead of destroying it?

What stands out in Exodus chapter 1 is the faithfulness of God. Two midwives chose to fear God rather than obey a tyrant. No crowds applauded them. No signs and wonders followed immediately. Still, their obedience shifted history. God works through people who choose faithfulness when the outcome is uncertain. Exodus also points us forward. Jesus is the great and true deliverer. Born under oppression, preserved by God, and sent at the right time, He came to redeem us and bring us into freedom, covenant, and purpose.

Why does quiet obedience matter so much to God? 

What does faithfulness look like in your everyday life right now?

As we begin 21 days of prayer and fasting, we remember this truth: before God delivers publicly, He prepares privately. Prayer aligns us with His work. Fasting creates space for His voice. When we draw near to God, He prepares us for freedom.

This season is an invitation: Get a journal, slow your pace, and show up to prayer if you can. Follow the daily devotional. God is at work, even if it feels quiet. Exodus reminds us that faithfulness matters when miracles are not visible. God is positioning a deliverer. He is fulfilling His promises. He is advancing His kingdom. And we are just getting started.