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"And the heaven that [is] over thy head shall be brass and the earth that is under thee [shall be] iron" Deut 28:23

The "heavens are brass" is a common expression signifying a sense of spiritual dryness, a lack of divine favor, or the experience of unanswered prayer. In Deuteronomy 28:23, God threatens to make the sky like brass and the earth like iron as a consequence of disobedience. This imagery evokes the idea of a closed-off heaven, where prayers are not heard and blessings are withheld.

We all experience times when the heavens seem to be brass, when God is silent. We know the frustration when our prayers seem to go unanswered. Especially if you are an intercessor and are entrusted to petition the throne with some very serious requests! I know I take it very personally when I pray for someone and I don't see an answer!

We may experience heavens that are brass as a means of discipline for disobedience, but more often than not these brass heavens can be a teaching tool in the hands of The Master.

I know there are all kinds of clever "Christian" catch phrases like "God won't give you more than you can handle." He gives us more than we can handle all the time! That's why he tells us HIS grace is sufficient. HIS power is made perfect in our weakness. ( 2 Cor 12:9)

There is one thing to be said when Abba seems to be silent - that dryness creates thirst!

Psalm 42:1-3 " As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, "Where is your God?"

David was a "man after God's own heart" and the Psalms are full of his heart cry for God to show up! Even Jeremiah felt the frustration and the longing to see God move "Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in His Name. But His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay." (Jer 20:9)

Deut 28:23 speaks of heavens that are brass and the earth that is iron. Brass, not for its brightness or splendor, but for its dryness and hardness, no moisture in it, and no showers of rain or dew being let down from it. The earth that is iron is hard and impenetrable. The plow and shovel will not enter; and no life springs forth from it because there is no rain and dew to moisten and soften it.

During times of silence, I am reminded of the life of a seed. It's buried in dirt, and hopefully the condition of the soil allows it to grow. It has to be buried deep enough, get enough water, and experience the optimal temperature. Some seeds grown in warm temperatures, others in cold, and still others only grow after extreme temperatures, such as a fire in grassland areas.

If water is plentiful, growth proceeds. If water is scarce, the seed grows a deep root to access water underground. It's only at the point where these optimal growing conditions are met that a seed sends a shoot toward the surface that will eventually grow leaves to harvest energy from the sun.

While the plant is underground it must rely on the stored food inside of the seed to make energy. Each seed reproducing after its own kind, and carrying the life within itself.

What an amazing illustration of Abba working on our character and in our prayer life! Each prayer is like the seed that is planted, hidden for a season, but eventually produces fruit! We commit to do what is within our ability, to create these optimal growing conditions. We water with Your Word, we create a fertile atmosphere through our praise. In those times when our prayers are still deep in the dirt, we trust YOU Lord that they are being tended and nurtured and that YOU are working to make sure all conditions are optimal for our growth and release increase through our prayers!

Our Father may be quiet for a time, but His heavens are never made of brass. He is continually listening to us, continually capturing our prayers as incense (Ps 141:2, Rev. 5:8), and is closer than our emotions allow us to "feel." He is always drawing us, always inviting us to come to Him in expectancy, always reviving hope in our hearts.

We sow our tiny seeds and look for signs of growth. We cry out for Your rain to water! Our vision is so limited but YOU see full potential! Help us to PRESS in Abba, when our natural eyes, ears and minds tell us we've been forgotten! Grant us faith to know that deep within the earth, YOU ARE AT WORK !

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Posture invites His Presence - We Prostrate ourselves before You and assume a Position of humility. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time." (I Pet 5:6)

Remember and Rehearse what the Lord has already done for you - "And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles." (Acts 14:27)

Examine our heart - Allow the Lord to show areas of doubt, unbelief and unforgiveness. "Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my heart and my mind." (Psalm 26:2)

Search for Him. When God is silent it's easy to look for answers in other places, relying on human wisdom, formulas and patterns. Seek HIM. "And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you." (Psalm 9:10)

Stand in the Silence. Settle yourself in His truth. Embrace the Seasons of Silence and know that the seed is growing. "When I said,"My foot is slipping," your unfailing love, LORD, supported me." (Ps 94:18-19)

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you Strong, firm and Steadfast." (I Pet 5:10)

Amen, so let it be, Father.