Sin can block the way to God

There are occasions in the lives of well meaning believers when God seems to be silent and this often perplexes people. Some are dejected and become despondent. Others are tempted to quit praying; and therefore we need to look in to the word of God to get an explanation about such occasions.

The classical example of the silence of God is found in the life of our Lord Himself. We know that Jesus our Lord always lived close to the Father while here on earth and He could boldly say at the tomb of Lazurus “And I know that Thou hearest Me always” (Jn. 11:42). What a confidence! Truly this can be the confidence of every child of God who lives and prays in the will of God. But then, look at our Lord when He was crying on that cruel cross. Heaven was silent. There was no response from the side of God the Father. Of course, we know the reason. There on that cross Jesus the sinless Son of God was representing the sinful humanity. Until the sin problem was dealt with, Heaven was silent. But thanks be to God. On the third day He rose again victorious. And the sin problem was once and for all dealt with. To day heaven is open to any repenting sinner!

In the life of a believer it is possible that sin can block the way to God. Listen to what the prophet has to say. “Behold the Lord’s hand is not short that it cannot save; neither is His ear dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear (Is.59:1,2). There are ever so many besetting sins (Heb.12:l) and presumptuous sins (Ps.19:13) which might creep into our lives unawares and block the way to God. If a praying believer experiences the silence of God, it is high time for such a person to let the spirit of God search our hearts to see if there be any wicked way in us and let Him lead us to everlasting ways (Ps.139:23,24). Silence of God will be broken and God will become once again active in our lives. But sin has to be identified, confessed and rejected before this can happen.

The people of Israel were witnessing mighty acts of God until they reached the small city of Ai. There they experienced a lamentable failure. Achan had sinned. Listen to what the Lord said to a praying Joshua. “Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face? Israel has sinned…“(Josh.7:lO,ll). No amount of praying can rectify the situation. Sin has to be identified and dealt with before God can act again on our behalf.   Just one disobedience and Adam lost the garden.  Just one sin and Saul lost his kingship. Just one sin Ananias and Sapphira lost their lives! Remember: God takes sin seriously and He cannot be a partner where sin is concealed. Has God been silent in your life in spite of the many prayers you have been praying? Search your heart to see if any sin blockage is in your life. Confess and reject it. Make restitution if necessary (cf Lk.19:8; Phile.v. 1 and see how God will become once again active in your life. Listen to the prophetic word. “I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face” (Hos.5:15).