Psalm 46:8 says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The King James says "cease striving" I'm not a person that enjoys silence. Especially when God is silent with me. The last three years of my life have been silent. Never before have I experienced a time when it seems God's hand was not on me. I have confessed every sin I know about. But looking at the live's of Joseph, Job, Jesus, Paul and others. Silence is a part of the growth of every believer. Joseph was stuck in jail for years for something he didn't do. God was silent. Job experienced pain unlike I can ever imagine yet God remained silent. Jesus hung on the cross for our sins while God remained silent. I don't pretend to think I have experienced troubles like any of these men, esp. Jesus! But these last three years have been very trying. These years have been the most fruitless in my ministry. God has been silent. Henry Blackaby teaches that when God is silent He is about to do something amazing in our lives. It may be tommorrow, next week, next year or maybe years from now. That is where my hope is. But back to Psalm 46. God wants us to quit striving, be still and let Him be God! That is so hard to do. There are times I just need to be silent and allow God to talk to me. Not like "Benny Hinn" or any of those goofs. But let God speak thru His Word and the Holy Spirit.