silence in heaven for

Yesterday's reading in Matt15 includes an interesting little occurrence. In v22, a Gentile woman calls out to Christ that her daughter is possessed. His response in v23 tells you what you need to know about why there is suffering in the world: "But He did not answer her a word." He says in v24 that His mission was different from what His disciples might have thought -- it was not to heal all, but to seek lost Jews. Later, of course, He heals her due to her faith.

It is easy to see suffering as either proof against His existence, or proof of His weakness. It is difficult to see suffering as something He allows to happen according to His own plan of response. A massive cyclone kills 100,000+ and we cry foul. Our marriage goes awry and we claim injustice. Our health goes south and we question the heavens.

God keeps silent sometimes, fact of life. This woman keeps her faith through the silence, and it eventually gets her an answer. How much patient faith do you have in the middle of divine quiet?