Human Response 661: Shut Up When God Speaks

Job 40:4-5 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken, but I will not answer: yea twice; but I will proceed no further.

When Almighty God shows up, reveals Himself, and speaks to Job, he is overwhelmed. He knows he is wrong to question God and argue with Him. He sees that he is of small account, that he is a sinful creature, that God is God, and that He is always right.

Job has stopped rebelling and fighting with complaints that God is in the wrong and that he is right. No man, even a so-called good man, can claim righteousness before a Holy God. Job sees that now when confronted with His Presence. We also have come to realize that we cannot stand before a Holy God unless we are covered in the blood and righteousness of Christ.

After we have heard and believed the Gospel we shut up, submit to His will, and trust in Him alone for good. The Holy Spirit teaches in the school of experience using the Word of God to convict of sin and bring us to Christ. Then we are thankful for grace and stop complaining and fighting against God. We listen. We speak only of God’s goodness instead of ours.