I Will Not Answer

Then Job answered the LORD and said: “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.”
Job 40:3–5
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I Will Not Answer
When King Solomon wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes he says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  And in verse 7 he gives this sage advice which Job now heeds. The is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” After God’s questions Job is left with the realization that he was foolish to question God. He wisely understands it is a time to keep silence.  For us sinful people living in today’s world where social media has given everyone a “voice” we forget that everything we say is not always worthy of listening to. We want the last word. We want to be right, or at least we want to win the argument, whether or not we are right is often inconsequential. And when it comes to arguing with God and attempting to justify ourselves, we will always lose. For we can neither win an argument (for God is never wrong) nor can we justify ourselves (our sin prevents this). We fare best when we recognize our place before God and in silent reverence come before Him in repentance, knowing that He is our loving Father and that He desires us to have a life with Him. So much so that He sent Jesus Christ to speak the truth to an arrogant and corrupt world. He sent His Son to die for our sins so that when we stand before God on judgment day Christ’s perfect life speaks for us. We are given forgiveness in Him.